
Book v\ a ) 3 ., 



PRESENTED 






tT WM 



ALL NATIONS^ 

ILLUSTRATED 

WITH HOTES AN 3 OOSpS 

TO WHICH TS ADDED, 

A SUMMARY OF ANCIENT PASTi: 
HOLIDAYS AND CUSTOMS, 



AN ANALYSIS OF THE WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS, 
OF THE FATHERS OF THE CHURCH. 



THE WHOLE ARRANGED ON A NEW PLAN, 



' Proverbs existed before books." — D'lsr^'li. 



BY THOMAS^FIELDING. 

NEW-YORK : 

t'UBHSHED BY P. COVERT, 

#2 



" 



Gift 
Mrs. Hennen Jennings 
April 26, 1933 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



In m?.king the present Selection of Proverbs, the first ob- 
ject has been to glean the wisest and best in the Sayings 
of all Nations; collecting not merely their ethical maxims, 
but whatever 13 characteristic of national manners, hu- 
mour, and intelligence. 

With respect to arrangement, I have not exactly fol- 
lowed the plan of any of my predecessors, but have en- 
deavoured to combine the double advantages of alpha- 
betic order, with facility for referring to any particular de- 
scription of proverbs, according to its subject. 

The authors to whom I have chiefly resorted, are, Ray's 
English Proverbs, Kelly's Scottish Proverbs, Mackintosh's 
Gaelic Proverbs, the French and Italian Proverbs of Du- 
bois and Veneroni, Collins 1 Spanish Proverbs,the Glossary 
of Archdeacon Nsres, Grose's Provincial Glossary, D'kra- 
eli's Curiosities of Literature, Todd's Johnson ; with seve- 
ial minor works, too numerous to mention. 

It is necessary to bear in mind, our's is only a Selec- 
tion : to have given the entire proverbs of any people, 
would have far exceeded the limits of the present plan, 
and consequently I have gleaned from each nation what 
seemed worthy of modern taste and refinement. Where 
a proverb appeared curious or important, the original 
or parallel proverb in other languages has been retained : 
this can be attended with little inconvenience'to the En = 
glish reader, and may be interesting to the scholar, and 
those who wish to be accurately acquainted with the spirit 
and origin of the Old Sayings. Besides, there are persons 
so fastidious as to refrain from quoting a proverb in plain 
English, who would not scruple to use it in the Latin ; Ita- 
lian, French, or Spanish language?, 



ADVERTISEMENT. 

To each proverb is added the name of the country fe 
vhich it belongs, when that could be ascertained ; and 
:v lien no name is affixed the proverb may generally be con- 
hided to be English^ ut there is nothing so uncertain ! 
tie derivation of proverbs, the same proverb being often 
and in all natkms;, and it is impossible to assign its pa- 
: rnity. For this, two reasons may be given. Proverbs 
e founded on nature ; and as nature and man are gener- 
y uniform, it is no wonder that diiferent people, under 
i circumstances, have come to similar conclu- 
sions. Another reason is, their short and portable 
■•, mi, whxch adapted them . for communication front 
on to another, 

exposition of Ancient Pastimes, Customs, 
\..c which forms the second part, was necessary to eluci- 
date the proverbs; one exhibits the mind; the other, 
r ing manners of the period. In this portion of the 
1 chiefly relied on Strutt's Sports and Pastimes 
People, Brand's Observations on Popular Anliqui- 
1 the voluminous works of Grose. 
ulgar Errors" form the third subject , and com- 
the picture of the olden time : these I chiefly col- 
tVom Sir Thomas Brown's Inquiry into Common 
/gar Errors, Fovargue's Catalogue of Vulgar Er- 
nd Barrington's Observations on the Ancient 
s. 

i conclusion is placed under a different arrange- 

i "Analysis of the. Wisdom of the Ancients, and 

lers oHbe Church :" we have thus the wisdom 

o}'3 derived from experience, to contrast with 

of the Schools of Poets, Philosophers, and the 

i Ihe Christain faith. The intention is, to 

j.iemental volume on the " Wisdom of the 

>uems," including the beauties, ranged aphoristically, 

most celebrated writers, from the period of the 

I of learning to the present time. 

work will then be complete, condensing, in a small 

iss, the essence of universal knowledge, natural and 



INTRODUCTION. 



Proverbs are the book of life, the salt of knowledge, ana 
'lie gatherings of ages. Like pebbles smoothed by the flood, 
they have flowed down the stream of time, divested of extra- 
neous matter, rounded into harmonious couplets, or clenched 
into useful maxims. Less ornate and redundant than the 
productions of modern literature ; they are far more instruc- 
tive : they are the manual of practical wisdom compiled 
from the school of experience ; and their precepts, as the ac- 
tual results of real life, circumstance, and occasion, are far 
preferable to the erring deductions of the speculative inqui- 
rer. 

From the antiquity of Proverbs, they may be defined the 
primitive language of mankind, in which knowledge was 
preserved, prior to the invention of letters. In the early sta- 
ges of society, its progress is retarded by three causes : theSI 
scarcity of words to express ideas ; the feeblenes? of memo- 
ry, from the absence of intellectual exertion ; and the want 
of a durable character, by which the discoveries of one gen- 
eration may be retained and transmitted to another. I ro- 
verbs are well adapted for removing these first obstacles to 
improvement : by a figurative expression, they supply the 
place of verbal description ; their brevity is an aid to memo- 
ry ; while, by being connected with local -circumstances and 
surrounding objects, they form a visible type, in which pass- 
ing occurrences and observations may be recorded. Accord- 
ingly, we find that all nations have had recourse to pphoris- 
tic language, and doubtless it was in this style the first 
knowledge of the world, its laws, morals, husbandry, and ob- 
servations on the weather, were preserved. It would be an 
error, however, to suppose that popular adages comprise on- 
ly the vulgar philosophy of the people, since the highest 
sources of human intelligence have contributed to the grert 
intellectual reservoir. In the verses of poets, in the classic 
historians of Greece and Rome, in the ssyings of philoso- 
phers and great statesmen, in the responses of oracles, the 
maxims of the eastern magi and sages, the learning of the 
Chinese and Hindoos, the writings of the Fathers and School- 
men, and those of later date, we often detect the germ of 
those ancient thoughts which now circulate under the hum- 
ble guise of an old saying. There is scarcely a celebrated 
name from the davs of Hesiod, who has not added to the 
i * 



INTRODUCTION, 

oass of aphoristic literature. It is a treariiax. eonstj 

filiating; as the world grows oIder ; the proverbiv 

,'u ache augments in bulk, till at length it will compriH a 

abstract of the wisdom of all ages, from the beginning 

nd of time. To describe proverbs as only the remains 

' c.n * ancient philosophy, " is much too limited ; they are the 

iiruitsjtf all philosophy, ancient and modern : what was for- 

■ right thought, or apposite allusion, consecrated to 

><!, becomes, in process of time, the common proper- 

rj&ople. We thus see the generation of proverbs, 

the : wisdom of poets and philosophers becomes the 

wisdom of the populace, divested only of the re- 

y of the original. Our own age will, doubtless, con- 

ro the general stock, leaving behind an aphoristic de~ 

haracteristic of the manners and genius of the times, 

fairing the aid of future parcemiographers to collect 

lucidate. 

us view of the subject, proverbial literature becomes 

nteresting subject of inquiry, not only from the an- 

: lity of its origin, but as the ground- work of human knowl- 

ii great storehouse of foots and experience. With 

ipdon, however, of Mr. D'Israeli scarcely a writer 

; f celebrity has deemed the philosophy of proverbs worthy 

• / investigation. Men of letters have been more intent on cuJ- 

I; atin<g the barren field of " points and particles.''"— of words 

inds — *he mere instruments of thought ; while the 

tts thc-y: selves, clothed in the most ancient costume, 

on ccciparatively neglected. I will endeavour in some 

. to supply this omission. 

first point of >iew in which the Old Sayings are in*. 

ng, is from the light they throw on the history of na= 

From the proverbs of a people, we may learn the 

peculiarities in their moral and physical state — not only 

v. .- " wit, spirit, and intelligence," as Lord Bacon observes, 

eir customs, domestic avocations, and natural scenery, 

asy it is. for example, to collect the condition of the 

enl Gael from their short sayings and apothegms — that 

were a melancholic people, simple, superstitious— anrl 

enveloped in mountains and mist. Scotland is, in 

- manner, embodied in her popular sayings. The Scot- 

i proverbs exceed those of any nation, in number, point* 

. .,»iour and shrewdness. They are figurative, rustic, and 

atory ; often gross and indelicate in their allusions to di- 

: i)d domestic habits ; yet they strongly indicate the local 

ufiarities of the country, and the thrift and keenness for 

the inhabitants have been Celebrated. The proverbs 

..y are of an opposite character. They are literal, 

, ~.e of the nature of maxims ; fu'J] of subtle reflections on 

government and public affairs, th« ^fidelities of Women and 









KSlfcODVCTTON. 

princes, the rapacity of priests, and the tedium and deceitful- 
iie's's of artiticial life. In short, they are the maxims of courts^ 
society and refinement, and scarcely come under the denom- 
ination of proverbs ; by which is generally understood, the 
wisdom of the common people, as exemplified in their daily 
employments and local circumstances. 

The Spanish proverbs are celebrated for their pith an hu- 
mour, but they are more characteristic of the age of Cer- 
vantes and Gil Blas than of the modern Spaniards. They 
too are severe on the gallantries of women, but replete with 
humour and good nature — and, like those of ltalv, teem with 
jokes on the " fat monks," — with a sprinkling of satire on 
kings and governments, of which, formerly, the Spaniards 
entertained a lively jealousy. 

England contains a rich mine of proverbial lore, in which, 
I fancy, we may trace the genius of the peopie. We. are a mix- 
ed race, and our character partakesof the compound nature of 
our descent — its excellence consisting not in one predominant 
quality, but in the union of several. We have not the rich 
humour and glowing imagination of the Spaniards, the insid- 
ious refinements of the Italians, the selfish prudence of the 
fScotch, nor the delicacy and gaiety of the French , but we 
have a sprinkling of all these. What particularly distin- 
guishes our proverbs, is their sterling good sense : which it- 
. self is a constellation of moral and intellectual excellence. — 
There is too in them abundant wit and pleasantry, but their 
-chief value is as a Manual of Life — the art of living wisely, 
happily, and prosperously. In this, I think them unrivalled. 
One thing is to he remarked of them— namely, that thev 
are truly the mother wit of the country: all our collection^ 
of Old Sayings are comparatively of ancient date; they are 
the sayings of the people before they had received any pol- 
ish from education or book-learning, and of course are of na- 
tive growth. The same cannot be said of the French and 
'Italian, nor, I believe of any European nation. Between the 
French and English proverbs there is great resemblance in 
spirit and idiom, not, however, without those chara cteristic 
differences which always discriminate tiie two nations — 
John Bull delivering himself in his broad substantial humOur 
and Monsieur in more delicate phraseology. The follow- 
ing parallel illustrates this distinction. 

JohnBull. — One shoulder of mutton draws down another. 

Monsieur. — L'appetit vient en mangeant. 

The Germans are not remarkable for their proverbs, pro- 
bably from an aversion to the aphoristic style : they have 
doubtless their proverbial phrases, like all other countries, 
but I have not seen any regular collection of them. The 
Russians have a few, some of which have found their way 



INTRODUCTION. 






Into Ray's Collection. In the aphorisms of the East, whit 
the exception of a few Arabic maxims, which have merit, 
there are no traces of superior intellect or observation.— 
Like the inhabitants of warm climates, generally, they are 
effeminate and pointless; consisting chiefly of 'mora! pre- 
cepts, "drawn rather from the imagination than real life and 
human nature. 

In the proverbs of all countries the fair sex have sustain- 
ed a singular injustice ; and what renders it more remark- 
able is, that the nations most celebrated for gallantry have 
been the greatest offenders, — since it is in the popular sav- 
ings of Italians, French, and Spaniards, that women are 
most bitterly reviled, and the constant theme of suspicion, 
scorn and insult. I will cite a few examples, some of which 
have not appeared in the Collection, for I was loth to pre- 
serve memorials so. disgraceful to mankind. The following 
are from the Italian. 

Dal mare nasce il sale, e dalla donna Jiasce molte male. 

u Salt from the sea, and ills from women." 

Chi e slracco di bojiaccie, si mariti. 

11 Who is weary of a quiet life, get himself a wife.*' 

Chi ha una bella moglie, ella none tutto sua. 

u He who has a handsome wife, has her not all to himself/' 

Donna Brutia e mal stommacco, donna bella mal de teste. I 

u An ugly woman is a disease of the stomach, a handsome 
woman of the head/' . 

The followiug are French : 
%m Que femme croit,etane mene, son corps ne sera jamais sans 
^\ peine, 

" Who trusts a woman, and leads an ass, will never be 
without sorrow." 

Un homme de paille rant unefemme dJor. 

': A man of straw is worth a woman of gold.' 7 

The Spaniards say, 

" Beware of a bad woman and do not trust a good one/' 

" He 'who marries does well ; but he who marries not 
does better." 

Did those nations, so-famous for chivalry, seek by these 
quips and crackers to retaliate behind the backs of "the fair 
sex for adulation to their faces ? England is proverbially the 
" Paradise of Women ;" and it was formerly observed that ? 
if a bridge were made over the narrow seas, all the women 
in Europe would emigrate to this female Elysium. Yet 
there are a few ungallant expressions in our language,^ tho* 
not so numerous as among the Italians, French, and Span- 



INTRODUCTION. li 

:ards : nearly one- fourth of the continental proverbs include 
some insinuation against the happiness of the conjugal state, 
the veracity and constancy of women. Our worst offences in 
this way are the following : 
" Commend a married life, but keep thyself a bachelor/-' 
u The death of wives and the loss of sheep make men rich." 
" A dead wife is the best goods in a man's house." 
One would fain hope this is not the wisdom of experience, 
'out the consequence of the unfortunate situation of females ; 
affording a further illustration of the history of society from 
popular sayings. The precepts and maxims of the ancients 
breathed a similar spirit of hostility to females ; arising, 
doubtless, from similar causes — the degraded and restrict- 
ed state in which they lived. Women have, in all ages and 
countries— excepting in one instance, resting on no great 
authority— been subservient to the men, and entirely at the 
mercy of the "lords of the creation." They have* fared ac- 
cordingly , for it requires little experience to learn that little 
justice is observed towards those, who have no share in ad- 
ministering justice to themselves. Politicians have long since, 
discovered that laws, made by irresponsible persons, are 
always in favour of the law-makers— and it is from this prin- 
ciple, women have suffered in the making of proverbs.~ 
They have clearly been made by the men — and they have 
made them — very ungallantly it must be admitted — all in 
their own favor ! Were we to make a collection of all the fine 
things, said and sung in favour of the ladies of the present 
*lay, it would present a singular contrast to the effusions ol 
the age of chivalry ! — it would show too, a prodigious altera- 
tion in society — in the feelings of men relative to women, — - 
and how vastly their condition had improved by the diffusion 
of knowledge and civilization ! 

Another feature, in the ancient constitution oft society, 
Iftay be traced in popular adages, in the few allusions to 
government. The people were formerly of much less polit- 
ical importance than at present, and matters of state were 
remote from their condition and attainments. Mr. D'Isra- 
Eli, indeed, fancies he can detect a little " Whiggism," in 
She Spanish proverbs, but I must confess I have met with 
few of that description ; those which have any allusion to 
jjublic affairs, relate chiefly to the tyranny of the Inquisition, 
the oppression of ecclesiastics, and the corrupt administra- 
tion of justice. The proverbs of Italy are of a different ten- 
| dency ; but these, as before remarked, are more the pro- 
verbs of courtiers, than of the people, and contain profound 
observations on legislation and jurisprudence. But in the 
familiar sayings of no nation, is there any glimpse of those 
"principles of governmeat and popular rights, the develope 
-feent of which , last eenturv, convulsed Europe, 



mil <w 



X 13*TRODUCTI02f. 

We are amply compensated for this desideratum by the 
light thrown on ancient manners and acquirements. *Prq- 
vrrbs formed the encyclopedia of former times ; comprising 
all the existing observations on human nature, natural phe- 
nomena, and local history. Men acquired wisdom, not from 
hooks, but oral communications. All the apparatus of the 
modern system of education — Horn books, Reading Made 
Easy, and Pleasing Instructors, were unknown. Children 
did not learn their alphabet, nor their catechism ; but an 
adult system prevailed, in which grown persons were taught 
the arts of life — the mysteries of good house-keeping, of 
economy, longevity, husbandry, and meteorology, in some 
traditionary maxim, handed down from generation to genera- 
tion, time out of mind. 

The effect seems to have been much the same as under 
the modern system of instruction : andriuman conduct, in- 
fluenced by similar motives, exhibited similar peculiarities. 
There are, indeed, certain truths constantly operating in the 
world, as unchangeable as the principles of nature. Time 
and space have no effect upon them. They are alike palpa- 
ble in all ages — are the same now as they were at the begin- 
ning, and will be unto the end of time. These universal and 
intuitve perceptions are comprised in the Proverbs of Na- 
tions ; which we find, among every people, to inculcate sim- 
ilar notions of justice, the moral duties of love and friend- 
ship. The progress of knowledge, local situation, and in- 
stitutions, may refine and modify them ; but, substantially 
ihey are the same truths, — whether circulated in familiar 
aphorisms among the people, or delivered from the universi- 
ty chair, disguised in the subtleties of a Hume or Reid, or 
the more popular disquisitions of a Paley, Johnson, or Ad- 
dison. 

By th^ operation of some absurd impression, Proverbs 
have for a long time been kept in the back ground in fashion- 
able society. Lord Chesterfield said, " a man of fash- 
ion lias never recourse to proverbs and vulgar aphorisms ; ;? 
and they appear to have " withered away under the ban of 
his anathema." But it is yielding too much to a name, to 
proscribe the most valuable intellectual treasure that has 
been transmitted by former ages, to the dictum of a courtier. 
Men of fashion, in the days of Elizabeth, James, and Charles, 
had recourse to proverbs and aphorisms; and in the splendid 
court of Louis XIV. the illustration of popular adages form- 
ed the subject of dramatic entertainments. So far then, as 
fashion can confer authority, we are justified, from the ex- 
ample of these periods, in their use ; but it may be demon- 
strated, that no other species of knowledge has such a mo- 
mentous influence on the affairs of life— on the conduct of in- 
dividuals and the history of nations. I will cite a fewe 



INTRODUCTION. X* 

tor the purpose of illustration, of proverbs that have 
been the most influential in society, and which aie constantly 
at work either for great good or evil. 

" What the eye sees not. the heart feel3 not !" 
How many men anil women too, have been determined in a 
ruilty course, from this single sentence; Again, there is 
another saying, which ha3 contributed not a little to people 
the world, and is a far more formidable antagonist of the 
doctrines of Malthus, than either Cobbett or Godwin : 
I' God never sends mouths without meat.''' 
W It has been the misfortune of many to find the contrary of 
his, but it still forms a cardinal point in the creed of the la- 
bouring classes ; and I am sure it has been my fate, many 
;,un^re(l times, to hear it repeated by fruitful dames— and 
h at its absurdity. 

Mortui twn mordent, 
" Dead men do not bite v 
This fatal truth has sealed the doom of many an unhappy 
wretch, by determining the last resolve of the traitor, burg- 
lar, aut!%ssassin. We cannot look into the annals of crime, 
on the page of history, without meeting with examples of the 
deadly application of this proverb, It was applied by Stew- 
ert, against the Earl of Morton in Scotland, ana subsequently 
to the Earl of Strafford and Archbishop Laud, in England ; 
and I am pretty sure, from some faint impressions left in the 
course of reading, I could, by a historical research, multi- 
ply these instances a hundred fold. 

" Ding down the nests, and the rooks will flee away," 
is a Scottish historical proverb, which gave an edge to the 
furor of the Covenanters and Cameronians, to the destruc- 
tion of the architectural grandeur of the Romish church ; 
-Hud made Johnson lament, over many ruined colleges and 
cathedrals , the Vandal rage of fanaticism at the Reformation . 
I will only cite another instance, and it is a recent one, still 
rresh in the memory of many of us. 

Tunc tua res agitur paries, cum proximus ardet I 

11 When thy neighbour's house is on fire, beware of thine 

own \ ,} 
This is a proverb of great antiquity ; it is in both Kay 
and Kelly's Collections, and was forcibly applied at the com- 
mencement of the great political drama of modern history 
The apprehension of danger from the example of France 
extending to neighbouring states, was a principal pretext for 
•he war" of 1793; and the above precautionary maxim was 
mcessantly repeated by the partizans of hostilities. A par- 
allel, and more reeentcase, occurs in the late flagitious inva- 
the French, whic:' r^kenonthf 



Xll INTRODUCTION* 

alleged ground of guarding against the neighbouring conta- 
gion — not of French but Spanish democracy ! 

I could cite more instances ; but must refer the reader to 
the Proverbs themselves, where he will find abundant ex- 
amples of the application of popular sayings on important 
occasions. 

It is supposed there are twenty thousand proverbs circu- 
lating among the nations of Europe, many of them borrowed 
from the ancients, chiefly Greek, who themselves took them 

I largely from the Eastern nations — and how prodigious must 
be the effect of this collective wisdom of ages on the public 
mind, daily and hourly operating, and divided into so many 
thousand popular maxims, influencing the conduct of indi- 
viduals, of all ranks, on every occasion in the affairs of life! 
It would be a puerile feeling, indeed, to affect to despise this 
intellectual treasure, or consider its history unworthy of in- 
vestigation. Shall we overlook the mo3t precious legacy of 
former times, stamped with the approval of former ages — 
when the most trifling mutilated fragment of ancient sculp- 
ture, or literature, is sought after with avidity, and extolled 
to the skies? When we are endeavouring to revive tH§ almost 
forgotten beauties of the elder writers, shall we neglect their 
most precious remains — the elite of their wit, choice sayings, 
[f and acquaintance with life ? I think it is impossible. But 

* we need not resort to adventitious reasoning to establish our 
argument. I appeal to the little volume now submitted to thft 
public, for proof of the importance and utility of proverbial 
knowledge. It is impossible I think, to read the sections on 
Virtue, Economy, Love, and Public Affairs, without being 
convinced that at least three-fourths of the practically ope- 
rating knowledge in the world consists of proverha ; and 
that it is not books, but the Old Sayings, which regulate 
human conduct. I can bear testimony of their value from 
experience— from the benefit I have derived while collecting 
the materials of this work — and I freely confess, that many 
things I had incautiously treasured i>p, as the original 
thoughts of other writers, I have since discovered to be only 
old truths, expanded from some forgotten adage ! 

u I am of opinion, Sancho," says the renowned knight of 
La Mancha, u that there is no proverb which is not true, be- 
cause they are all sentences drawn from experience itself, 
the mother of all sciences.'' Lavater, in his Aphorism?, 
says, that " the proverbial wisdom of the populace in the 
streets, on the roads, and in the markets, instructs the ear of 
him who studies man, more fully than a thousand rules os- 
tentatiously displayed. 

Another distinguished writer of the present day eloquently 
observes, on the same subject : " Proverbs embrace the wide 
inhere of human existence, they take all the colours of litife 



INTRODUCTION, X1U 

tlicy are often exquisite strokes of genius, tbey delight by 
their airy sarcasm or their caustic satire, the luxuriance of 
fheir humour, the playfulness of their turn, and even by the 
elegance of their imagery, and the tenderness of their senti- 
ment. They give a deep insight into domestic life, and open 
for us the heart of man, in all the various states he may oc- 
cupy — a frequent review of Proverbs should enter into our 
readings ; and although they are no longer the ornaments of 
conversation, they have not ceased to be the treasures of 
thought!" — Curiosities of Literature, 'id Series, p. 479. 

Were there no other learning than thai comprised in pro- 
verbs, it may be doubted whether it would not be adequate to 
the chief business of life. It is only in those branches of 
knowledge, connected with the arts and natural philosophy, 
that the ancient lore is deficient ; but in every thing that re- 
lates to the great science of human nature, it is commensurate 
with our necessities and occasions. In making it the basis 
of our studies, there is a great economy of time and labour ; 
for it puts us in possession of useful truths, without either 
enslaving us to systems, or perplexing us with abstruse and 
unprofitable inquiries. 

With respect to the present volume, as no merit is claim- 
ed in its contents, further than the arrangement of the ma- 
terials and their occasional illustrations, I will venture to say, 
that few can be found in modern literature, comprising an 
equal fund of amusement and instruction. It is not, howev- 
er, a volume, small as it is, that we ought to take up and pe- 
ruse at a sitting ; but one to which we may occasionally 
resort — and never, I believe, without profit — without finding 
something to amuse or instruct — a flash of wit, a stroke of 
humour, or an useful precept to guide and adorn life, 



CONTENTS, 



Advertisement. 



Select Proverbs m all Na- 
tions - - - - 1 
Religion, Virtue, and Learn- 
ing ... -66 
Laws, Government, and Pub- 
lic Affairs - - - 83 
E-conomy, Manners, and Rich- 
es 91 



and 



iii Introduction 
PROVERBS. 

Women, Love, 
: >ck - - 
Health and Diet 
Husbandry and Weather 
English Local Proverbs 
Familiar Phrases 
Similies and old Saws • 
Proverbial Rhymes - __ 



Wed- 
Ill 

- 121 
129 
lS r J 

- 145 
154 

- 155 






PART II. 



SUMMARY OF ANCIENT PASTIMES, HOLIDAYS, 

CUSTOMS, CEREMONIES, AND SUPERSTITIONS. 

Pastimes and Holidays. 

General History of Popular|Hock-day - - - K3 

Sports - 163|Sheep-shearing and the Har- 

Hand-ball - - - 1651 vest Supper - - 163 

Stool-ball - 166 Advent of the New Year ib« 



Foot-ball - - - ib. 
Pall-mall - ib. 

Goff - ib. 

Cricket - - - 167 

Running at the Quintain ib. 



* airs 
May- Games 
Whitsuntide-Holidays 
Country Wakes 
Remarks 



CUSTOMS AND CEREMONIES. 



Midsummer-Eve 
Valentine- Day 
Collop- Monday 
Hallo w -Eve 
The Boy Bishop - 
The Montem at Eton 
R,oyal Oak Day 



Hagmena - 

Mumming" - 



- 171 The Passing Bell 

- ib. Mothering Sunday 
- ib. All Fool's Da> - - - 

- 172 Maunday Thursday - - 
ib. St. Patrick's Day - - 

- 173 Parochial Perambulations 
■ 174 Michaelmas Goose - - - 

CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS. 
- - 177 (Christmas Candles - - 

- ib.'TheTwefthDav - - - 



ib. 

- ib. 

- ib. 

ib, 

- 174 
175 

ib. 
• ib, 
176 
ib. 
ib. 



178 
ib- 



CONTENTS. 



Evergreens - - - - -) 78! A Christmas Carol - - 179 

Christmas Boxes - - - ib.I Christmas Customs - - ib. 

POPULAR SUPERSTISTIONS. 



Ghosts -.•-.--- J85 

Witches ib. 

A Sorcerer or Magician 187 
Fairies, Elves, Knockers, and 

Brownies 188 

VULGAR ERRORS. 



Second Sight - - - - 189 
Omens, Charms, and Divina- 
tion ib. 

Remarks ----- 192 



Legal Errors 195 

Errors in Natural History ib, 
" The Rose of Jericho" 196 
Pictorial Errors - - - ib 



Errors of Man - - 
Hitorical Ey-ors - - 
Miscellaneous Errors 



-197 

. ib. 

-193 



PART III. 



ANALYSIS OF THE WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS, 
AND OF THE FATHERS OF THE CHURCH. 



Avant-Propos - - - - 200 

Anger 201 

Ancestors - - - - - ib. 

Manners 202 

Eating and Drinking - - 203 
Eloquence - - - - 204 
Friendship ----- ib. 

Folly ib. 

Industry 205 

Justice - ----- ib. 

limjjs and Laws « - - ib. 



Life and Death - - - 206 

Love 207 

Riches and Po ! erty - - ib. 
Public Officer - - - 208 

Truth ib. 

Time - - - - - - - ib. 

Virtue - 209 

Wisdom ----- -211 

Women ------ 212 

Miscellaneous Maxims - 213 



PROVERBS, &c 



SELECT PROVERBS OF ALL NATION*. 

A blithe heart makes a blooming; visage. — Scotch, 
A burthen which one chooses is not felt. 
Accusing is proving, where malice and power sit judges* 
A crowd is not company. 

A thousand probabilities do not make one truth. 
A blow from a frying pan, though it does not hurt, it sul- 
lies. — Spanish. 

A calumny, trjrjgh known to be such, generally leaves a 

stain on the reputation* 
Advice to all, security for none. 
A cut purse is a sure trade, for he has ready money when 

his work is done. 
A deed done ha? an end.—Italia?t. 

This is one instance, among many in Italian history, of 
the great influence of prove os in the affairs of that people* 
The two families of the Amydei and the Uberti, from a 
dread of"' e consequences, long suspended the revenge they 
meditat d on the younger Buondelmonte for the affront he 
had put upan them in breaking off his match with a young 
lady of their family, and marrying another. At length, 
Moscha Lamberti, suddenly rising, exclaimed, in two pro- 
verbs, that " Those who considered every thing would ne- 
ver conclude on anything!" closing with the proverbial 
raying- -cosa fatta capo ha! " a deed done has an end ! ;? 
This sealed the fatal determination, and was long held in 
mournful remembrance by the Tuscans, as the cause and 
beginning of the bloody factions of the Guelphs and the 
Ghibellins. Dante has immortalized the energetic expres- 
sion in a scene of the Inferno: 

Then one, 

Maim'd of each hand, uplifted in the gloom 
The bleeding stumps, that they, with gory spots, 
Sullied his face, and cried — " Remember thee 
Of Moscha too — I who, alas ! exclaim/d, 




U SELECT PROVERBS 

4 The deed once done, there is an end, — that prov'd 
A seed of sorrow to the Tuscan race." 
Milton, too, adopted this celebrated Italian proverb ; when 
deeply engaged in writing " The Defence of the People," 
and warned that it might terminate in his blindness, he re- 
solutely concluded his work, exclaiming, although the fa- 
tal prognostication had been accomplished, Cosa fatta capo 
ha!* 

A guilty conscience needs no accuser. 

All truths must not be told at all times. 

Adversity makes a man wise not rich. 

French. — Vent au visage rend un homme sage. 
Latin. — Vexatio dat intellectum. 

A drowning man wiU catch at a straw. 

Affairs like salt fish ou^ht to be a good while a soaking. 

After having cried up their wine, they sell us vinegar. 
Spanish. — Haviendo pregonado vino venden vinagre. 

A fog cannot be dispelled with a fan. — Japanese. 

An instance this, how popular sayings are'' aerived from lo- 
cal objects, or from allusions to peculiar customs. The 
coast of Japan is subject to fogs, and both sexes from the age 
of five years carry fans. 

An honest man has half as much more brains as he needs ; 
a knave hath not half enough. [nish. 

A friar who asks alms for God's sake, begs for two. — Spa- 

A fool's tongue is long enous^A to cut his throat. 

A friend in court is worth a penny in the purse, 

A friend to every body is a friend to nobody. — Spanish., 

A friend, as far as conscience allows. 
French.— Ami jusqu' auxautels. 

A great city, a great solitude. 

A hand-saw is a good thing, but not to shave with. 

After-wit is every body's wit; 

F. rench.— Tout le monde est sage apres coup. 

A good tale ill told is marred in the telling. 

A good servant makes a good master. — Italian. 

A grand eloquence, little conscience. 

Italian. — Di grand eloquenza pieciola coscienza. 



* Vide Curiosities of Literature, 2nd Series-. 



-• ! 






OF ALL NATIONS. 10 

This proverb may be true in the degraded soil of Italy, but 
the names of a Chatham, Burke, Fox, Pitt, and Erakine, 
render its application doubtful in England. 

A good name is better than riches. 

A glass of water is sometimes worth a tun of wine, and a 
penny a pound. — Italian. 

A gude word is as soon said as an» ill one. — Scotch. 

Alexander was below a man when he affected to be a god, 

A man is a man though he have but a hose upon his head* 
I A good shape is in the shear's mouth — Scotch. 
** A good key is necessary to enter into Paradise. — Italian. 

All are not thieves that dogs bark at. 

All blood is alike ancient. 

A merchant's happiness hangs upon chance, winds, and 
waves. 

A good pay-master is lord of another man's purse. — Ita- 
lian. 

A good companion makes good company.— S^amsft. 

A gude taleis^ia the waur to be twice told. — Scotch. 

A gift ion- waSfed for is sold, not given. 
Ital. — Dono molto aspetatto, e venduto, non donatto, 

A little wit will serve a fortunate man. 

A hundred tailors, a hundred millers, and a hundred wea- 
vers, are three hundred thieves. — Spanish. 

A handsome hostess is bad for the purse. 

Spanish.— Huespeda hermosafcnal para la bolsa. 

When the mistress of an inn /possesses a handsome person 
and fascinating manners, she captivates her quests ; who 
submit to charges they would not allow in a hostess of in- 
ferior attractions. The pastry-cooks and other dealers in 
the metropolis are well aware how potent beauty is in pro- 
moting the trade and commerce of the kingdom ! 

A handful of common sense is worth a bushel of learning, 
— Spanish. 

A mad bull is not to be tied up with a packthread. 

A mad parish must have a mad priest. 

A grave and majestic outside is, as it were, the palace of 
the soul. 

A favourite proverb of the Chinese, which Mr. D'lsraeli 
thinks characteristic of the genius of the people, who are 
fond of magnificent buildings. The same writer remarks, 
that their notions of government are (l quite architectural/ 7 
They say " a sovereign may be compared to a hall ; his offi* 




. 



20 SELECT PROVERBS 

cers to the steps that lead to it; the people to the ground 
on which it stands. 

A man in distress or despair does as much as ten. 

All men are not men. — Italian. 

A man may say even his prayers out of time. 

A man is little the better for liking himself, if nobody else 

like him. 
Apelles was not a master painter the* first day. 
A man may be strong and yet not mow well. 
An inch in a«man's nose is much. 

A hasty man never wants woe Scotch. 

A kiss of the mouth often touches not the heart. 

Xtal.— Bacio di bocca spesso cuor non tocca. 

A fool knows more in his own house than a wise man in 

another's. 
A man with his belly full is no great eater. — Spanish. 
A man may talk like a wise man, and yet act like a fooL 
All is but lip-wisdom that wants experienc/ 
An ernmet may work its heart out, but tifn never make 

honey. 
We cannot have figs from thorns; nor grapes from thistles. 

If we would succeed in any business we must use means 

adapted to the end. 

A fool may ask more questions in an hour than a wise man 
can answer in seven year*. 

A proud eye, an open purse, (and alight wife, breeds mis- 
chief to the first, misery to the second, and horns to the 
third. 

A man knows no more to any purpose than he practises. 

A place at court is a continual bribe. 

A true reformation must begin at the upper end. 

Windham used to say, u it was the lower end that was most 
corrupt, and reformation ought to begin there/ ; We can- 
not decide. 

A plaister, is a small amends for a broken head. 

A stumble may prevent a fall. 

A tragical plot may produce a comical conclusion. 

A little pot is soon hot. 

Little persons are commonly choleric. 

All's well that ends well, 

All fellows at football. 






OF ALL NATIONS. & 

That is, there is no distinction of rank when parties mingle 
promiscuously in vulgar sports. A truth which any one- 
may verify by a visit to the cock-pit in Westminster. 

All is not gold that glitters. 

A liar should have a good memory. 

All are not Saints that go to the church. — Italian. 
Ital. — Non e oro tutto quel che luce. 

Although we are negroes we are men. 

\ Spanish. — Aunque negros, somos gente. 

"Hlmost and very nigh saves many a lie. 

A miss is as good as a mile. 

A man of gladness seldom falls into madness. 

It is not the gay, cheetful, and light hearted that fall into 
madness, but mostly those of strong and fixed passions. It 
is by dwelling too much on one idea, that insanity, when 
not constitutional, is produced. Brooding too long over an 
imiganary insult or disappointed affection, the mind forms 
exaggerated conceptions of the injury it has sustained, and 
hence forms Conclusions inconsistent with the common 
sense of mankirt\l — which is madness. The melancholic* 
the proud, and the ambitious, are most liable to this dread- 
ful calamity. Travel, society, books, any thing which di- 
verts the mind from the demon which haunts it before it 
has obtained too strong hold of the imagination, are the 
be3t preventives 

A soldier, fire, and water, soon make room for themselves* 
Italian. \ 

A man may live upon little, Wt he cannot live upon noth- 
ing at all. — Gaelic. 

A man knows his companion in a long journey and a small 
inn. — Spanish 

A man must not spoil the pheasant's tail. — Ital, 

A fool always comes short of his reckoning. 

The half is better than the whole. 

A Greek proverb, recommending a person to take half rath- 
er than risk the expense and uncertainty of a lawsuit to 
obtain the whole. 

A merry companion on the road is as good as a nag. 
A man must plough with such oxen as he has. 
A mon is weel o wae as he thinks himself sae. — Scotch. 
A mischievous cur must be tied short. — French. 
A man is a lion in his ain cause. — Scotch'. 
$Ve had some proof .of this in the conduct of the Reformers, 
who in the latev ears defended their ' ain cause, 7 There is 



m SELECT PROVERBS. 

indeed nothing like a man having " a stake in the hedge.-* ? 
Give a good servant a share in the firm, and he is zealous 
for his employer ; or a citizen his political rights, and he 
fights valiantly for the commonwealth. There could be no 

Eatriotism among the vassals of the feudal system ; they 
ad neither property nor justice ; and it was nothing to 
them who were the rulers of the earth, and they might ex- 
claim, in the words of the Spanish proverb, " Where can 
the ox go that he must not plough !" 

A man is a lion in his own cause. — Scotch. 

Ask a kite for a feather, and she'll say she lias but just 
enough to fly with. 

An ill plea, should be weel plead. — Scotch. 

A man may buy gold too dear. 

And old naught will never be aught, 

An old kave is no babe. 

A oid man hath the almanac in his body.— -lied. 

An ass covered with gold is more respected than a horse 
with a pack-saddle. — Spanish. 

A new broom sweeps clean. 

An ill workman quarrels with his tools. ** 

A proud heart in a poor breast, he's meikle dolour to 
drain. — Scotch. 

Apothecaries would not give pills in sugar unless they 
were bitter. 

A pleasure is well paid for which is long expected. — Hal. 

A rolling stone gathers no moss. 

A runaway monk never pr^fyes his convent. — Italian 

A salmon from the pool, -1 wand from the wood, and a 
deer from the hills, are thefts which no man can be j 
ashamed to own. — Gaelic. 

The idea seems very ancient that an exclusive right to game 
and other ferce. naturae, does not rest on the same basis as 
other property Mankind will not be easily convinced, that 
stealing a hare or a patridge is as bad as stealing a man's 
purse. While this continues the popular feeling, it is vain 
to multiply acts for the preservation of game. Laws, to 
be efficatious, should be in some accordance With public 
opinion, if not, they only disturb the peace of society, ex- 
cite ill blood and contention, and multiply crimes and of- 
fences instead of diminishing them. 

A stroke at every tree but without felling any. — Gaelic. 

As the man said to him on the tree top, fc Make no more 
haste when you come down than when you went up.* 

As ?ood be out of the world as out of the fashion. 



OF ALL NATIONS. 23 

Ask enough and you may lower the price as you list.— = 

Spanish- 
According to that in Latin . Oportet iniquum petas ut cequum 

/eras : you must ask what is unjust to obtain what is Just, 

We presume it is on this principle the Universal Suffrage 

men frame their demands. Thev do not mean to have all 

they ask, but ask a great deal with the view of bating a 

little. 
\ A sorrowing bairn was never fat. — Scotch, 
\\ swine fatted hath eat his own bane. 
A whetstone can't itself cut, yet it makes tools cut. 
As yemak' your bed sae ye maun ly down. -Scotch 
A wonder lasts but nine days, and then the puppy's eyes 

are open.. 
A true friend should be like a privy, open in necessity. — 

Scotch. 
A wild goose never laid a tame egg. — Irish. 
A wilful man Should be very wise. — Scoich. 
A white glove or&n conceals a dirty hand. — Ital. 
A word before is worth two behind. — Scotch. 
A word and a stone thrown away do not return. — Spanish, 
A word is -enough to the wise 
B, 
Before you make a friend, eat a peek of salt with him.— 

Scotch.' v 

Beggars must not be choosers. \ 
Spanish. — A quien dan no escoge . 

Bells call others to church but enter not in themselves. 
Better the ill known, than the gude unknown. — Scotch. 
Better be the head of the yeomanry than the tail of the 

gentry. 

Men love priority and precedence, had rather govern than be 
ruled, command than obey, though in an inferior rank and 
quality. Julius Cresar and John Wesle_y were agreed on 
this point . it is better to rule in Hell than to serve in Hea- 
ven,— to be the first man in a village than the second man 
in Rome. 

Better come at the latter end of a feast than the beginning 
of a fray. 

Better keep the de'el out than turn him out. — Scotch. 

It is easier to keep out a bad inmate than to get rid of him af- 
ter he has once been admitted. It is also used in another 
% implying that it is {better to resist our pass ; : 



24 SELECT PROVERBS 

• 

first than after indulgence. 
Better late than never. 

Jtal, — E meglio tarde che mait. 
Better one's house too little one day, than too big all the 

year. 

That is, it is better our house should be too small for one great 
entertainment, than too large all the rest of the year. It is 
applied to those jolly souls, who, for the sake of one good 
" blow out," abridge the comforts of the remaining twelve 
months. 

Better bend than break. 1 

Better a little fire that warms, nor a meikle that bums. — 
Scotch. 

Better late thrive, as never do well. — Scotch. 

Beware of vinegar made of sweet wine. — Italian. 

Provoke not the rage of a patient man. 

Bold and shameless men are masters of the world. 

Be a friend to yourself and others w ill. —j^cotch. 

Better go about than fall into the ditch. -? ^panish. 

Be the same thing that ye wad be ca'd. — Scotch. 

Be patient and you shall have patient children. 

Better an empty house than an ill tenant.— Scotch. 

Be not a baker if your head be of butter. — Spanish. 

That is, choose a calling adapted to your inclinations and 
natural abilities. 

Better to be alone than in baa company. — Gaelic. 

Between two stools the bre'ech comes to the ground. 

French. — Assis entre deux selles le cut a terre. 

Better ride on an ass that carries me than a horse that 
throws me. — Spanish. 

Biting and scratching got the cat with kitten. 

Birds of a feather flock together. 

Blaw the wind never so fast it will lower at last. — Scotch. 

Building is a sweet impoverishing. 

Our forefathers seemed to consider building a very unprofita- 
ble speculation. They had many proverbs to the same effect : 
He who buys a house ready wrought, 
Has many a pin and nail for nought. 
The French too say. " A house ready made, and a wife to 

make.' 7 
The times have altered if one may judge frem the present rage 
building in the vicinity o f Lonaon, and in the country *• 

\ 






OF ALL NATIONS, So 

Buy at a market but sell at home. — Spanish* 

Beware of enemies reconciled, and meat twice boiled, 

Spanish, 
Beware of a silent dog and 3till water. 

C. 

Children dead, and friends afar, farewell. 
Child's pig but father's bacon. 
i Alluding to the promises which parents sometimes make* 
% to their children; and which they fail to perform. 
Charity begins at home. 
Children and fools speak the truth. 

French — En fans et fous sont devins. 
Changing of words is lighting of hearts, 
Claw me and I'll claw you. — Scotch. 
Commend me and I'll commend you. 
Consider welL who you are, what you do, whence yon 

come, and v^heryou go. 
Custom is the juauge of wise men, and the idol of fools, 

The Spaniards say, u A good or bad custom, the rogue wishes 
it to exist.' 7 Which shows the influence the knavish part 
of society conceive established usage to have in their 
prosperity. 

Customs, 

Though they be ne'er so ridiculous, 
Nay, let them be unmanly, yet are followed. — shaksp, 
Church work goes on slowly.' 

Can't I be your friend, but I must be your fool too ? 
H Call me cousin, but cozen me not. 
Come unca'd, sit unserv'd. — Scotch. 
Consider not pleasures as they come, but go. 
Count again is na forbidden. — Scotch. 
CoUHsel is to be giyen by the wise, the remedy by the 

rich. 
Credit lost is like a Venice glass broken. 
Crosses are ladders leading to heaven. 

D. 
Daughters and dead fish are nae keeping ware.— Scotch, 
Day and night, sun and moon, air and light, every one 
must have, and none can buy. 
aT men go away with the injury 



<2G SELECT PROVERBS 

Dead men do not bite. — Scotch* ~* 

Death is deaf and hears no denial. 

Deeds are males and words are but females. 

lial. — I fatti sono maschi, le parole femine. 

Ding down the nests and the rooks will flee away. — Scotch, 

This proverb was ruthlessly applied in Scotland at the Refor- 
mation to the destruction of many noble cathedrals and col- 
legiate churches. 

Diseases are the interest of pleasures. 

Do as the maids do, say no and take it. 

Do on the hill as you would in the hall. I 

Do what you ought, and come what will. 

Do not make me kiss, aad you will not make me sin. 

Do not say you cannot be worse. 

Dogs bark as they are bred. 

Do not spur a free horse. 

E. 

Eagles fly alone, but sheep flock togeti 

Eggs of an hour, fish of ten, bread of jjjr-day, wiae of a 
year, a woman of fifteen, and a friend of thirty. 

Either a man or a mouse. 

Lat. — Aut Caesar, aut nihil. 

Empty vessels make the greatest sound. 

Every man is the architect of his own fortune. 

French — Chacun est artisan d^.sa fortune. 

Every one's faults are not written in their forehead. 

Every tub must stand upon its own bottom. 

Every thins hath an end , and a pudding has two, 

JE\ ery one knows how to find fault. 

Every body's busness is no body's business. 

Every good scholar is not a good schoolmaster. 

Every man wishes the water to his ain mill. — Scotch, 

Every man is best known to himself. 

Every dog has his day, and every man his hour. 

Every man has his hobby horse. 

* Every one to his trade,' quoth the boy to the Bishop. 
Eternity has no grey hairs. 
Every thing would live. 
Every ass thinks himself worthy to stand with the kiug :' 

horses. 

* Every one to his liking,' as the man said, when he kisser! 

his cow 6 



OF ALL NATIONS. 27 

England's the Paradise of women, and hell of horses, 

Ever drunk, every dry. 

£o£— Parthi quo plus bibunt eo f^is sitiunt. 

Every potter praises his own pot, and more if it be broken, 

Every man kens best where his own shoe pinches — Scotch, 

Every fool can find faults that a great many wise men 

can't mend. 
Every light i3 not the sun. 
| Fvery shoe fits not every foot.- — Scotch. 
Every one bastes the fat hog, while the lean one burns. 
livery man bows to the bush he gets shelter of. 

F. 
Faint heart never won a fair lady. 
Lot — Audontes fortuna juvat. 
Fair maidens wear no purses. — Scotch. 
Spoken when young women offer to pay their club in 

company, which the Scots will never allow, nor the Eng° 

lish either. 
Fair words and foul play cheat both young and old, 
Fair and softly goes far in a day. 
French Pas a pas, on va bien loin. 

Fair words break no bone, but foul words many a one. 
False folk should have many witnesses. — Scotch. 
Fair in the cradle, foul in the saddle. 

It is supposed that children tht^ most remarkable for beauty 
in infancy, are the least so whra grown up. Does this arise 
from improper indulgence to beautiful children, or do the 

I features and complexion alter ; or lastly, do we consider cer- 
tain traits beautiful in childhood, the contrary in maturity 1 

Faint praise is disparagement. 

Far fra court, far ira care. — Scotch. 

Few daie write the true new:? of their chamber. 

Fetters of gold are still fetters, and^s;lken cords pinch. 

O liberty I thou goddess heav'nly bright ! 
Profuse of biiss, snd pregnant with delight, 
Eternal pleasures in thy presence reign. — addison", 
It is said, the Scottish hero, Sir William Wallace, had al . 
ways the following rhyme in his mouth : 

Dico tibi verum, libertas optima rerum, 
Nunquam servili sub nictu vivito fili. 

Feeling has no fellow. 

Fine feathers make fine birds. 

~^eed a pig and you'll have a hog, 



23 SELECT PROVERBS 

Fie, fie ! horse play is not for gentlemen. 

Fiddler's fare— meat, drink, and money. — Scotch. 

Fire and water are good ^rvants but bad masters. 

First come first served. 

French — Qui premier arrive au moulin, premier doit moudre* 

Feather by feather, the goose is plucked. 

Forbidden fruit is sweet. 
Ital. — I frutti prohibit! sono i piu dolci. 

Fortune sometimes favours those whom she afterwards de- 
stroys. — JtaL 

Forbid a fool a thing and that he'll do.— Scotch. 

Forewarned, fore-armed. 
Lai.— -Praemonitus, preemunitus. 

For my own pleasure, as the man strake his wife. — Scotch. 

For that thou can do thyself rely not on another. 

For the rose the thorn is often plucked. 
Ital. — Per la rosa spesso il spin/ se coglie. 

Force without forecast is little worth. — Scotch. 

Foul water will quench fire. 

For one day of joy we have a thousand of ennui. 
Ital. — Per un di gioia n r habbiamo mille di nioia. 

Life, in the opinion of most people, is a melancholy thing, and 
I suppose this is the reason why so many resort to violence 
to get rid of it, or are wholly careless about the means to 
prolong existence. King relates in the u Anecdotes of his 
Own Times," that he had put the question to many persons 
Whether they would wish todive their time over again, ex- 
periencing exactly the sujfae good and evil, and that he 
never met one who replied' in the affirmative. A King of 
Arragon said, There were only four things in the world 
worth living for, — old wine to drink, old wood to burn, old 
books to read, and old friends to converse with. Solomon 
pronounced all these to be vanity — but he was no judge. 

For a flying enemy make a silver bridge — Spanish. 

An enemy closely pursued may become flesperate : despair 
makes even the timid and cowardly courageous : a rat with 
no means for escape, will often turn upon its assailants. 
By all means then let the vanquished have a free course. 

Fox's broth which is cold and scalds. — Spanish. I 

Said of artful and dissembling persons, who in their behaviour 
appear modest and affable for the purpose of deceiving 
others. 

Fools make feasts and wise men eat them. 




OF ALL NATIONS, 

Wrench — Les fous font la fete et les sages le mangent. 

Kelly says, that this proverb was once repeated to a great 
man in Scotland, upon his giving an entertainment ; when 
he readily answered, — vVise men make proverbs and fools 
repeat them. 

Fool's haste is no speed. — Scoteh. 

Fools have liberty to say what they please. 

Xtal. — Li matti hanno bolletta di dir cio che vogliono*. , 

Fools should not see half-done work, 
^jfany a fine piece of work, in the unfinisihed state, looks 
clumsy and aukward, which those who want judgment will 
be offended at. We hope the honourable critics who were 
lately so severe in their strictures on the improvements 
going oil in Westminster-hall, had duly weighed the import 
of this proverb. The Italians have a parallel saying, — 
Non giudicar la nave, standc in terra. ; Judge not of a ship 
as she stands on the stocks. 

Fools make fashions and wise men follow them. 

Spanish.- Nocios y porfiados hacen ricos a los letrado 

From four ti/ngs God preserve us ; a painted, woman, a 
conceited vkiet, salt beef without mustard, and a little 
late dinner. — Italian. 

From nothing, nothing can come. — French. 

Friendship cannot stand all on one side. 

Frost and falsehood has ay a oul hinder end. — Scotch. 

G. 

Game is chepaer in the market than in the fields. 

True ! but it is not half so sweit. That which is won by" la- 
bour and enterpize is valued far above what is bought 'with 
money. It is not the game which is prized so much, as the 
exhilirating exercise the pursuit of it has afforded. 

Gentility without ability is worse than plain beggary. 
Gentility sent to the market will not buy a peck o' meal. 

— Scotch, 
Gentry by blood is bodily gentry. 
G-et a name to rise early and you may lie all day. 
Give a new servant bread and eggs, but after a year bread 

and a cudgel. — Spanish 
Give ne'er the wolf the wether to keep. — Scotch, 
Give a man luck and throw him into the sea. 
Give the devil his due. 
Give a child his will, and a whelp his fill, and neither will 

thrive. 

I 



3D SELECT PROVERBS 

Give a dog an ill name and he'll soon be hanged. — Scotch, 

Give him but rope enough and he'll hang himself. 

Good counsel has no price. — Italian. 

God deliver me from a man of one book. 

Spanish — Dios me libre de hombre de un libro. 

That is, from a person who has studied only one subject, 
and is constantly referring to it, to the fatigue of his auditors. 

Go neither to a wedding nor a christening without invi- 
tation. — Spanish. 

Good harvests make men prodigal, bad ones provident. 

Good riding at two anchors, for if one breaks the othei 
may hold. 

Good wine needs no bush. 

God sends meat and the devil sends cooks. 

Bacon says, " Cookery spoils wholesome meats, and renders 

unwholesome pleasant." I wonder what that renowned 

knight of the spit and dripping pan, Dr. Kitchener, thinks 

of this. 
Go into the country to hear what news in fjwn. 
God grant that disputes may arise, thai I may live. — » 
Spanish. , 

A lawyer's prayer for discord amongst his neighbours. 
God send us of our own, when rich men go to dinner. 
Good to Begin well, better to end well. 
God defend you from the devil, the eye of a harlot, and 

the turn of a die — Spanish,. 
God makes, and apparel shapes. 
God help the poor, for the rich can help themselves.— 

Scotch. 
God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb. — French. 
Good enough is never aught. 
God never sends mouths but he sends meat. 
An idle proverb, much in use among poor people, who get 

children, but take no pains to maintain them. 
Gold goes in at any gate except Heaven's. 

French. — La clef d'or ouvre toutes sortes de serrurest 
Great barkers are nae biters. — Scotch. 
Great pain and little gam makes a man soon weary, 
Gude watch prevents harm. — Scotch. 



ALL NATION. 31 

H. 

Happy is he whose friends were born before him. 
Haste make3 waste, and waste makes want, and warn 

makes strife between the good man and his wife. 
Here's talk of the Turk and of the Pope, but it's my next 

neighbour does me harm. 
He that will not be counselled cannot be helped. 
He has mickle prayer but little devotion. — Scotc/t. 
He dances well to whom fortune pipes, — Ital. 
\ He that hath no money needeth no purse. 
jfle gets a great deal of credit who pars but a small debt. 

—Ital. 
He that leaves certainty and sticks to chance, when fools. 

pipe he may dance. 
He that chastiseth one, amendeth many. 
He that hath an ill name is half hanged. 
He is poor indeed, that can promise nothing. 
He thnt plants trees, loves others besides himself. 
He that would 4mow what shall be, must consider what 

hath been. N 
He who gives blows is a master, he who gives none is a 

dog. 

A Bengalese proverb, strikingly expressive of the mean and 
degraded state of the peqple who could use it. It is deri- 
ved from the treatment they used to receive from their Mo- 
gul^ rulers, who answered the claims of their creditors by 
a vigorous application of tire whip. 

He that is warm thinks all arc 'so. 
. He's dwindled down from a pot to a pipkin. 

He who w&nts content can't find an easy chair. 

He is a good orator v. ho convinces himself. 

He who loses money, loses much ; he who loses a friend 
loses more ; but he who loses his spirits loses all. — 
Spanish. 

He that has no fools, knaves, nor beggars in his family, was 
got by a flash of lightning. 

He who has not bread to spare should not keep a dog.— 
Spanish, 

He hath feathered his nest, he may flee when he likes,— 
Scotch. 
f He who depends on another, dines ill and sups wcr c e. 

He sits full still who has rivpn breeks. — Scotch, 






fc2 SELECT PROVERBS 

Those who are guilty themselves .are often a little shy 
posing the guilt of others. It took its rise from the Earl of 
Angus, who being in an engagement, and wounded, staid 
till all his men were drest, and then told them he was 
wounded himself by repeating the proverb. 

He knows little of a palace.— Spanish. 

That is,, he is soon put out of countenance. 

He who rides behind another does not travel when he 
pleases. — Spanish, 

He who peeps through a hole may see what will vex him - 

He that licks honey from thorns pays too dear for it. 

Hand over head, as men took the covenant. — Scotch. 

Alluding to the manner in which the covenant, so famous in 
Scotish history, was violently taken by above sixty thou- 
sand persons about Edinburgh, in 1638; a novel circum- 
stance at that time, though afterwards paralleled by the 
French in voting by acclamation. 

He who laughs too much has the nature of.k fool ; he who 
laughs not at all has the nature of an old cat. 

He came safe from the East Indies, and was 1 drowned in 
the Thames. 

He that cheats me anes shame fa* him ; if he cheats me 
twice shame fa' me., — Scotch. 

He who doth his own business, defileth not his fingers. 

leal.— ■Qui fa le fatti suoi, non s' embratta le mani. 

He that will steal a pin will steal a better thing. 

He who has but one coat cAnnot lend it. — Spanish. 

He who commences many things finishes only a few.™ 
Ital. 

He has fallen out of the frying-pan into the fire. 

He who despises his own life is master of that of others. 

Ital. — E padrone deila vita altrui, chi la sua sprezza. 

11 What shall he fear, who doth not fear death !" — Schiller, 

He that has one sheep in the flock will like all the rest the 
better for it. — Scotch. 

Spoken when we have a son at a particular school, uni- 
versity or society, and we wish the prosperity of these re- 
spective bodies on his account. 

He must needs - run whom the devil drives. 

He had need rise betimes, that would please every body. 

He had need have a long spoon that sups kail with the 
de'gh— Scotch - 



OF ALL NATIONS. $3 

He loses his thanks who promises and delays, 

He that would hang his dog, first gives oat that he is mad, 

He was scant o' news that tauld his father was hangYi. — • 

Scotch. 
lie who would have pleasure and pain must begin to 

scratch himself. — Spanish. 
He that stays in the valley shall never get over the hill. 
He that invented the maiden first hanselled it. — Scotch. 

That is, got the first of it. The maiden, is that well-known 
\ beheading machine, which gave such a scarecrow aspect 
to the French revolution. The oroverb is applied to one 
who falls a victim to his own ingenuity ; the artificer of 
his own destruction. The inventor was James. Earl of 
Morton, who, for some years governed Scotland, and after- 
wards suffered by his own invention. DTsraeli remarks . 
the singular coincidence, that the same fate was shared 
by the French surgeon, Guillotine, who revived it, — both 
victims to the anarchy of the times. 

He goes not oul of his way who goes to a good inn. 

He would fain &y, but wants feathers. 

Hell and Chancery are always open. 

He who does not kill hogs will not get black puddings. — 
Spanish. 

It is usual in Spain, when they kill a hog to make black pud- 
dings, to present their neighbours with some. The poor 
man without a hog receives few of these presents. 

He who follows his own advi.ce must take the consequen- 
ces. — Spanish. 

He who serves is not free. 

Span. — Quien sirve no es libre. 

He commands enough that obeys a wise man. 

He who sows brambles must not go barefoot.— Spanish. 

He that will not look before him must look behind him.— 
Gaelic. j^ 

He who serves a bad man sows in the market—Spanish, • 

He that seeks trouble, it were a pity he should miss it. — - 
Scotch. 

He has more business than English ovens at Christmas.— 
Italian. 

A closer intercourse formerly existed between our country 

and Italy than France. In the reie-n of Elizabeth and James 

the First, great numbers of Italians travelled here, and 

? r esHenf en commercial concerns ; which accounts for 



4 SELECT PROVERBS 

the number of Italian proverbs relating. to this country:. 
The foregoing could only have arisen from the observa- 
tion of our domestic habits : u Our pie-loving gentry/ 7 
says D'Israeli, u were notorious ; and Shakspeare's folio 
was usually laid open in the great halls of our nobility to 
entertain their attendants, ■ who devoured at once shak- 
speare and their pastry. Some of these volumes have 
come down to us, not only with the stains, but enclosing 
even the identical pie crusts of the Elizabethan agel" 

He gives one knock on the hoop, another on the barrel. — 

Ital 
That is, he speaks now to the purpose, now on matters extra- 

neous. 
He that reckons without his host must reckon again. 
He that cannot pay let him pray. 
He that would live in peace and rest, must hear and see 

and say the best. 
He gives twice that gives in a triee. 
Lai.— Qui cite dat bis dat. J 

He knows best what good is that has endured evil. 
He that lies down with dogs must rise up with fleas. — Ital. 
He that waits for dead men's shoes may go long enough 

barefoot. 
He that makes himself a sheep shall be eaten by the 

wolves. 
He that will have no trouble in this world must not be 

born in it. ' 
Tie is an ill guest that never drinks to his host. 
He that knows himself best, Esteems himself least. 
He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing, 
lie that hath many irons in the fire some of them will 

barn. 
_ He that speaks me fair and loves me not, I'll speak bim 

fair and trust him not. 
He that does you an ill turn will never forgive you.— 

Scotch. 
He that fears leaves must not come into a wood. 
Pie who eats the meat, let him pick the bone. — Spanish. 
He has found a last to bis shoe. — Spanish. 
That is, he has met with his match. 
He that wad eat the kernel maun crack the nut. — S 




OF ALL NATIONS. 

He that cannot find wherewith to employ himself, let him 

buy a 3hip or marry a wife. — Spanish. 
He is worth nae weel that can bide nae wae. — Scotch. 
He that ill did, never good believed. 

Lot. — Qui sibi male ccnscii alios suspicantwr. 
He who thinks he knows the :-!Ost knows the least. — ItaL 
He who at twenty does not understand, at thirty does 

not know, and at forty is poor, will have a wretched old 
\ age. — Spanish. 

ff le that is ill to himself, will be good to nobody. — Scotch. 
He that licks honey from thorns, pays too dear for it.— 

French. ' 
He who deals with a blockhead has need of much brains, 

SpanisJt. 
He that desires to sleep soundly, let him buy the bed of a 

bankrupt. — Spanish. 
Implying that <; at description of persons have generally soft 

and luxuriant touches. 
Ke who ^3 well and seeks ill, if it comes God help him.— 

Spanish. 
Hide nothing from thy minister, physician, and lawyer.— 

Ital. 
His brains want no barm to make them work. 
Home is home though it be ever so homely, 
Hope is a good breakfast but a bad supper. 
Hopes delayed hang the heart wpon tenter hook- 
Honour and ease are seldom bedfellows. 
I How can the cat help it if th maid be a fool. 

Said when the maid does not set up things securely out of th«* 
cat's way. 

Human blood is all oi one colour. 

If the mountain will not go to Mahomet, let Mahomet go 

to the mountain.-- Spanish. 
If you trust before you try. you may repent before you 

die. 
if the bed could speak many would blush. 
If we have not the world's wealth, we have the world*? 

ekseAs-Scotch. 

Spoken of there who live happily in a mean cohditr 



. 



* 



3j5 SELECT PROVERBS. 

Tf wishes would bide beggars would ride. * 

' French -Si souhaita furent vrais pastoreaux seroient row. 

nor a friend. t . 

S^SSeS^e^en Solomon and, 

5f ?o°u want a pretence to whip a dog, it is enough to say 
be eat up the frying-pan. f . m t 

If the child cries let the mother ^ * f J 
be hushed she must let it cry .-Spanu*. 

Two students travelling to ^ala— W» a ^ ™a 
where they were annoyed by the cryiij departure 

the mother scoldmg and beating tfv ^ thejn , th 

tThrwh^rt:[rtS: r a b s avfluable Piece of 

If ^Tsay what you have seen you will tell what will, 
shame you.— Gaelic wa ur.— &ofc/i. 

If you cannot bite never show your teeth. 

',11 weeds grow apace. 

''^.ririr mecl— , dependent. 

ifvou wish the dog to follow you, feed him, 

I'll not buy a pig in a poke. 

The French say, Chat en peche. , 

If you lie upon r6ses when young, you 11 be upon 
tf you n ha°d d haa fewer friends, and more enemies, you b.d 

frettk abetter man. * 



I 






OF ALL NATIONS. 

Qur friends are often too indulgent in concealing oar fail- 
ings, and leave the valuable office of making us acquainted 
with ourselves to be performed by our enemies. " A true 
friend/' as the proverb says, " should sometimes venture 
to be a little offensive." 

If young men bad wit, and old men strength enough all 
might be well. 

If you would have a thing kept secret, never tell it to any 
one ; and if you would not have a thing known of you, 
never do it. 
^1 wept when 1 was born, and every day shows why 

f'like na to mak a toil o' a pleasure.— Scotch, 

I love my friends well, but myself better. 
French. — Plus pres est la chair que la chemise. 

Ill-will never spoke well.-— Scotch. 

Ill doers, ill deemers.— Scotch* 

111 would the fat sow fare on the primroses of the wood 
Gaelic. 

I'm no every man's dog that whistles on me. — Scotch, 

In a calm sea every man is a pilot. 

In a country of blind people, the one-eyed man is a king, 
Spanish. 

A little wit, among foolish people, will pass a man for a 

great genius. It is applied to those who are tickled with 

the admiration of weak and unworthy persons. 
In the forehead and the eye, the lecture of the mind doth 

lie. 

Lot. — VuJtus index animi, 
Ina thousand pounds of law there is not an ounce of love* 
In giving and taking it is easy mistaking.— French. 
It's a wise child that knows its own Lather.-- -Homers 

Odyssey. 
It is more easy to threaten than to kill. — Italian. 
It is a miserable sight to see a poor man proud, and a rich 

man avaricious. — Jtal. 
It is too late to complain when the thing is done. — It&U 
It's time to set when the oven comes to the dough. 

That is, it 13 time to marry when the maid woos the man., 
It is, better to do well than to say well. — Itah 
Jt is easy preaching to the fasting with a full belly. — //«> 
/it is good to fear the worst, the best will save itself. 
4 



$ SELECT PROVERBS 

It's an ill horse that will not carry his own provender. 

It is easy to take a man's part but the matter is to maintain 

it. — Gaelic, 
It is an ill cause the lawyer thinks shame o' — Scotch, 
It is not easy to straight in the oak the crook that grew in 

the sapling.— Gaelic 
It's a foolish sheep that makes the wolf his confessor.— Ital. 
It is a base thing to tear a dead lion's beard off. 

A noble reproach of those who wish to rob the u illustrious 
dead " of their laurels . 

If the parson be from home, be content with the curate. 
It may be necessary sometimes to hold a candle to the 

devil. 
It is very hard to share an e^g. 
It is good going on foot when a man has a horse in his 

hand. 
It is not the cowl that makes the friar. — Scotch. 

Lot. — Cucullus non facit monachum. 
It's better to be happy than wise. 
It is not much to give a leg to him wlio gave you the 

fowl. — Spanish, 
It is dear bought that is bought with prayers. — Italian. 
It is right to put every thing to its proper use.— Gaelic, I 
It's good to cry yule ( Christmas ) at other men's cost. 
It is a long lane that has no turning. 
It is good fishing in troubled waters. 
It's too late to spare when the bottom is bare. 

It is ill to take breeks off a bare a .Scotch. 

It's not good to wake a sleeping lion. 

It avails little to the unfortunate to be brave. — Spanish. 

It is hard to live in Rome and strive against the Pope.— 

Scotch, 
It is ill angling after the net. 
It is a bad action that success cannot justify. 
I love to stand aloof from Jove and his thunderbolts. 
I'll make a shift, as Macwhid did with the preaching. — 

Scotch. 

Macwhid was a knowing countryman, and a great stickler 
for the king and the church At the Restoration, clergy- 
men being scarce, he was asked if he thought he could 
preach; he answered that ho could make a shift; upon, 
^vhich he was ordained, and got a liying. 



OF ALL NATIONS. W 

I myself had been happy, if 1 had been unfortunate in time. 

It is an ill cause that none dare speak in. — Scotch. 

I cannot sell the cow and have the milk. — Scotch. 

It is an ill battle where the devil carries the colours. 

It is an ill wind that blows nobody good. 

It is not the burthen, but the over burthen that kills the 
beast. — Spanish. 

If pride were an art there would be many teachers.-*- 
. Italian . 
\jt is ill to bring out of the flesh what is bred in the bone. 

I — Scotch. 

It is a good sport that fills the belly. — Scotch. 

It is not an art to play, but it is a very good art to leave 
off play. — Italian. 

It is too much for one good man to want. 

Italy to be born in, France to live in, and Spain to die in. 

I am not sorry that my son loses, but that he will have his 
revenge. — Spanish. 

It is the infatuation of framing, that losers are always the most 
eager to play an. A wish to recover their lost money, or, 
as it is technically called, ''have their revenge," tempts 
them to persevere, till they are involved in ruin and despair* 

Hence the proverb. 

I will give you a crown a piece for your lies, if you will 

let me have them all. 
I was well, would be better, x took physic, and here I am, 

Written on a man's tomb-stone, 
Jok j w it h hands are jokes of blackguards. 

Span. — Brulas de manos, brulas de villanos. 
Intimating that pugilism and other vulgar amusements are 

ungentlemanly. 

Just a fi falis, quoth the wooer to the maid. — Scotch. 

Kelly gives a ludicrous account of the origin of this saying. 
A courtier went to woo a maid; she was dressing supper 
*vit h a drop at her nose ; she asked him if he would stay all 
night, he answered, Just as it falls : meaning, if the drop 
fell among th^ meat he would he off; if it fell by, he would 
stay. 

Judge not of a ship as she lies on the stocks. 

Hal. — Non giudicar la nave, stando in terra* 



m SELE€T PROVERBS 

K. 
Keep yourself from the anger of a great man, from the 
tumult of a mob, from a man of ill fame, from a widow 
that has been thrice married, from a wind that comes 
in at a hole, and from a reconciled enemy. 
Keep your purse and your mouth close. 
Keep no more cats than will catch mice. 
Kindness will creep when it cannot go.— Scotch, 
Kill the lion's whelp, thou'lt strive in vain when he's 
grown. 

L. 
Lawyers' houses are built on the heads of fools. 
Lawyers' gowns are lined with the wilfulness of their cli- 
ents. 
Lawyers' don't love beggars. 

There is enough here one would think to deter the most ob* 
stinate litigant from resorting unnecessarily to the legal 
profession. So far as my observation ha ^extended, I cer- 
tainly do not blame the lawyers more ttyan their clients. 
In a state of nature, man is naturally a<" pugnacious ani- 
mal ;" in a civilized state, he seems as naturally a litigious 
one. The real defect, however, is in " the glorious uncer- 
tainty of the law" itself; which, by some curious property, 
possesses the double power of repulsing and attracting its 
victims. While, in the arrogance of lawyers and solicitors— 
iu the delay and anxiety of waiting the issue of suits — and 
the enormous expense attending them there is enough to de- 
ter any one from going to law . the law itself creates the 
necessity by its uncertainty, and the necessity we are con- 
stantly under of appealing to its contradictory a»d ever-* 
varying decisions, to ascertain our rights and properties. 
Let not your tongue cut your throat.— -*tfra&ic. 
Let them fry in their own grease. 
Lean liberty is better than fat slavery. 
Learning makes a man fit company for himself. 
Leave a jest when it pleases you best. 

Spanish. — A la bnrla dexarla quando mas agrada. 
Bacon observes, " He that has a satirical vein, as he maketh 

others afraid of his wit, so he had need be afraid of others 

memory. " 
Let them laugh that win. 
Give losers leave to speak and winners leave to laugh, for if 

you do not they will take it. The French say, Rira bien 

qui rira *e dernier : He laughs well who laughs the kst\ 






OF ALL NATIONS. U 

Let every man praise the bridge he goes over. 

Let him not look for me at home, who can meet me in the 

. market -place.— Spanish. 
Recommending persons to keep their domestic establishments 

free from intrusion, especially when they have places set 

apart for public business* 
Letters blush not. 

Less of your courtesy, and more of your coin. 
Like the tailor or Campillo, who worked for nothing and 

found thread.— Spanish. 
fLike master, like man. 

French. — Tel maitre tel valet, 
Like the squire of Guadalaxara, who new nothing in tlie 

morning of what he had said at night. — Spanish. 
Like a collier's sack, bad without, worse within, — Spanish 

Said to a person of a mean appearance, with a bad heart. 
Life without a friend, death without a witness. — Spanish, 
Like the dog in the manger, he will neither do nor let do. 
Little and oitem fills the purse. — Italian. 
Little said is soon mended, and a little gear is soon spend- 

ed — Scotch. 
Like author, like book. 

The proverb ought to have been more precise, and specified 
what description of authors. Poets, who write from feel- 
ing, their works may be a toleiable transcript of their cha- 
racters. But feelings are variable they change with the 
pressure of the atmosphere Or the fluctuation of interest, 
and of course, the productions of this class are only the 
index of their minds under particular circumstances, 
With respect to political scribes, the proverb is still less 
applicable. If we take up the works of this genus, we 
find them at one period of their lives flaming aristocrats : 
at another, raving democrats, and vice versa. What ought 
we to infer of them? that their characters have changed 
with their books ? or is it only their writings which have 
varied with their interests ? We fear it is only the philoso- 
phers the rule will apply to. When we meet with a clever 
hook on chemistry or mathematics, we may be pretty sure 
the writer is a chemist or mathematician. The fact is. 
these men write not on themselves, hut on nature. Hence 
the difference ; angles and alkalies are constant, but man is 
an animal very changeable. 

Little strokes fell great oak?, 
4* 



SELECT PJtOVERBS-' 

Live and let live* 

Look not a gift horse in the mouth. 

French.— A cheval donae, il ne faut pas regarder aus 
dents. 

Look before you leap, for snakes among sweet fiowers do 

creep. 
Lookers on see more than players. 

Lat.— Phis in alieno quam in suo negotio videni homines, 
Losers are always in the wrong.— ^Spanish 

French.— Qui, perd, peche. 
Love thy neighbour, but pull not down thine hedge. 
Lov® me, love my dog. 

French.— Qui aime Jean, aime son chien. 
M. 
Make iici thy tail broader than thy wings. 

Keep not too many attendants. 
Make your affairs known in the market-place, and one 

will call them black and another white. — Spanish. 
Make the best of a bad bargain. 
Make a virtue of necessity. 
Many soldiers are brave at table, who are cowards in the 

field.— Italian. 
Many ways to kill a dog and not to hang him. — Scotch, 
Many irons in the fire, some may cool. — Scotch. 
Many littles makes a mickle. 

French — Goutte a goutte, on remplit la cave. 
Many masters, quo''}. the toad to the harrow* when every 

tooth gave her a v blow. — Scotch. 
Many kiss the hand they wish to see cut off. 
Many children and little bread is a painful pleasure; — > 

Spanish. 
Many slips between the cup and the lip* 

This is in Kelly*s Collection, as a genuine Scotch, though an 
'old Greek proverb ; implying that a project may be spoil* 
«d just at the point of consummation. 

Many hands make light work. 

Many go out for wool and come home shorti*^Spanish 

Many talk of Robin Hood that never shot in his bow, 

H^ny a true word is spoken in jejstt 



OF ALL NATIONS. f 

Masters are mostly the greatest servants in the house* 

Many a good cow hath a bad calf. 

Masters grow poor and servants suffer. — Spanish. 

Men used to worship the rising sun. 
Lai. — Plures adorant solem orienter quam occidentein , 

Misfortunes seldom come alone. 

French. Malheur ne vient jamais seui. 

Misunderstanding brings lies to town. 

Most haste worst speed. 

^The favourite proverb of Erasmus, was Festirw. lente! " Has- 
ten slowly.'' He wished, it to be inscribed wherever it could 
meet the eye: on public buildings, and on rings and seals. 
One of our statesmen, Sir Amias Pawlet, used a proverb 
of similar import. When he perceived too much hurry in 
a business, he was accustomed to say, " Stay awhile, to 
make an end the sooner." 

More fools more fun. 

French. — Phis on est des fuos plus on rit. 
More words th&n one go to a bargain. 
Mothers darlings make but milk-sop heroes, 
Most men cry -Long live the conqueror.' 
Money is welcome though it comes in a dirty clout* 
Much would have more and lost all. 
Much is wanting where much is desired. — Italian* 
Murder will out. 
Must is a word for a king. 

Much coin, much care ; much meat, much malady. 
My cow gives a good mess of milk, and then kicks it 
down. 

N. 
Nature takes as much pains in the womb for the forming 

of a beggar, as an emperor. 

A fine argument for the natural equality of man, which I 
think is not to be found in the writings of Paine. But 
though nature has followed the same processjin the manufac* 
ture of us all, it does not follow that all her work is equally 
well turned out. There can be no doubt that some of us are 
naturally endowed with better memories, better judgments, 
greater reasoning powers, and greater physical strength, 
than others ; and, of course, these differences will make 
differences in our individual fortunes, and social condition. 
I cannot see how the advocates of the natural equality of 
saankind can get over this distinction, 



U SELECT PROVERBS 

Name not a rope in his house that hanged himself. 

Nap .^reat loss but there is some gain. — Scotch. 

Nothing venture, nothing have. 

Never scald your lips in other folk's broth. 

Never quit certainty for hope. — Scotch. 

Neither beg of him who has been a beggar, nor serve him 

who has been a servant. — Spanish. 
Neither fish nor flesh nor good red herring* 
Need \iakes the old wife trot. 

French — Besoign faite vielle trotter. 
Neve: o< old to earn. 
Nine tailors make but one man. 
Nits will be hce ; . * ■ 

A coarse, but descriptive proverb of Oliver Cromwell's, ex- 
pressive of the contempt he felt for some of his mean and 
troublesome coadjutors — D'Israeli. 

No pot is so ugly as not to find a cover.— Italian. 

Nothing so bad as not to be good for something. 

No smoke without some fire. 

No condition so low, but may have hopes ; none so high, 
but may have fears. 

None is a fool always, every one sometimes. 

No shoemaker beyond his last. 

It is related of Applies that he exposed publicly to the Greeks 
one of his finest paintings, the ' Trojan Shepherd/ solici- 
ting their opinion on its merits, A shoemaker found fault 
with the sandal which the artist instantly corrected. The 
fool, puffed up with concept, then attempted to make a ridi- 
culous display of all he knew, and in a loud tone censured 
the finest part of the picture ; but Apelles turning 'aside 
with contempt, said, Ne sutor ultra crepidam, the words of 
the proverb, It is applied to persons whopresume to judge 
on subjects foreign to their profession or acquirements. 

No man crieth— stinking fish. 

None but great men can do great mischief. 

Nothing that is violent is permanent. 

Nothing is more playful than a young cat, nor more grave 
than an old one. 

Nobody so bkr; an honest man as an arrant knave. 

French.— Rien ne ressemble mieux a un honnete homme,- 

qu ? un trip on 
No joy without annoy. 
No fool like an old fool. 



OF ALL NATIONS. # 

No jesting with edge tools or with bell ropes. 
No man is wise at all times. 

French.— Les plus sages ne le sont pas toujours. 
No longer pipe no longer dance. 
None of you know where the shoe pinches. 
The answer of Paulus iEmilius to the relations of his wife, 

when they remonstrated with him on his determination to 

separate himself from her, against whom no fault could be 
[ alleged. 
$so receiver, no thief ; no penny, no Pater-noster. 
No friend to a bosom friend, no enemy to a bosom enemy. 

— Scotch. 
No alchemy equal to saving. 
Nothing so bold as a blind man.— Scotch. 

Lai.—- Dulce helium inexpertis. 
No grass grows at the market place. 

A proverb applied to a certain description of females, 
No fault, but sh\e sets a bonnet much to weel.— Scotch. 

That is the servant which makes the wife a little jealous, lest 

her good man should be tempted astray. 
No smoke without some fire. 
Novelty always appears handsome. 

Xtal.- -Di novello tutto parbello. 
No living man all things can. 
No rose without a thorn, 

Lat.— Nulla est sincera voluptas. 
None can feel the weight of another's burden. 
No man ever lost his credit but he who had it not. 
Now I have g^>t a ewe and a lamb, every one cries— Wel- 
come, Pete ! 

o. 

Of a little take a little.— Scotch. 

Of young men die many ; of old men, escape not any. 

Of an ill pay-master get what you can, though it be but 

a straw. 
Oil and truth will get uppermost at last. 
Old age is not so fiery as youth ; but when once provoked 

cannot be appeased. 
Old men think themselves cunning. 
Old men and far travellers may lie by authority. 
Old young, old long. 






m SELECT PROVERBS 

Which answers to that in Cicero, Mature, jias seuex, si diu se- 
nex esse veils. To live long it is necessary to live slowly. 
Length of life ought not to be measured by length of 
days, but by the quantity of animal spirit consumed. Some 
run their course at the rate of a mile, others at the rate of 
ten miles an hour. One will exhaust his energies in pleas- 
ure, business, and living, in thirty , while another, by a 
more economical consumption, will protract them to seven- 
ty years. Yet the quantity of life enjoyed by each is the 
same ; the velocity of the machine has made all the differ- 
ence. The most celebrated men have not been remarkable 
for length of days. Witness, Alexander the Great, Charles 
XII. of Sweden, Shakspear, Buonaparte, and last not least, 
thee, O Byron ! It is only such old chroniclers of the times 
as Fontenelle and St Evremond, who live at a snail-pace, 
have " an egg and to bed," or a bit of dry biscuit, and one 
glass of wine — no more, that can spin out their web till 
one is apt to think them immortal, and their very begin- 
ning is lost in the remoteness of its origin. 

Old foxes want no tutors. 

One eye witness is better than ten hearts. — French. 

Once an use and ever a custom. — ScotcH. 

One dog is better by another dog being Ranged. — Gaelic. 

One may live and learn. 

One might as well be out of the world, as be beloved 
by nobody in it. 

One's meat is another man's poison. 

One may sooner fall than rise. — French. 

One fool in a house is enough in all conscience. 

One half the world kens not ho«v the other half lives.— 
Scotch. 

One beats the bush and another catcheth the bird. 

One doth the scath and anolher hath the scorn. 

One swallow makes not a spring, nor one woodcock a 
winter. 

One scabbed sheep infects the flock. 

One. year a nurse and seven years the worse. 

One siory is good till another is told. 

One fool makes man* /,— Scotch. 

By diverting them from their proper business, as is often ob- 
served in the streets of the metropolis, where, if a person 
only holds up his finger, a thousand will be instantly with- 
drawn from their proper avocations to inquire into the 

cause of it, 



OF ALL NATIONS. 4 

Que foolish act may undo a man, and a timely one make 
his fortune. — Gaelic, 

One is not so soon healed as hurt. 

One cannot fly without wings. — French. 

One may support any thing better than too much ease 
and prosperity. — Italian. 

There cannot be greater slavery than to have too little to do ? 
or too much to spend. For one that dies of excessive ex- 
ertion, perhaps a score die of mere ennui It would, doubt- 
less, be for the benefit uf all classes, if the good? of the 

S world were a little more equally divided, so as to avert the 
opposite evils of plethory and inanition. 

One man may better steal a horse than another look over 
the hedge. 

One thief makes a hundred suffer. — Spanish. 
That is, suspicion. 

Opet: confession is good for the soul. — Scotch. 

One mad action is notenou^rkto prove a man mad. 

Opportunity ms^es the theii. 

The Italians say. " Ad acra aperta il giusto pecca :' ? Where 
a chest lies open 1 , a righteous man may sin. The Spaniards 
say, " Puerta abierta, al santo tienta :' ? The open door 
tempts the saint. A good caution to husbands, masters, and 
house keepers. 

Out of sight, out of mind. — Dutch. 

P, 
Patience is a plaster for all sores. 
Patch by patch is good husbandry, but patch upon patch 

is plain beggary. 
Pigs love that lie together. 
Plain dealing is dead, and died without issue. 
Pleasing ware is half sold. 

French.— Chose qui plait est a demi vendu. 
Pleasant company alone makes this life tolerable.— 

Spanish. 
Plenty makes dainty. 

Plough or not plough, you must pay ycra^ent. — Spanish, 
Poor folk are fain of a little. — Scotch. 
Poor folk live as well as they can. 

French. — Les pauvres gens vivent Ha <-« - • nl "'-ojit, 
Possibilities are infinite. 
Proffered service stinky 



48 SELECT PROVERBS 

Praise the sea, but keep on land. 

Praise without profit, puts little in the pocket, 

Gloria quanti libet quid erit, si sola gloria est ? 

Prate is prate, but it is the duck that lays the egg. 

Praise not the day before night. 

Policy goes beyond strength. — French. 

Pride %t es before and shame follows after. 

Pride, perceiving humility honourable, often borrows her 

cloak. 
Pride will have a fall. 
Pour not water on a drowned mouse. 

Add not affliction to misery. 

Put not a naked sword in mad man's hand. 

" Ne puero gladium." For they will abuse it to their own 
and other's harm. 

Put your finger in the fire and say it was your fortune. 
— Scotch. 

A bitter sarcasm on those who ascribe the Want of success in 
life to fortune. Dame Fortune ought long since to have 
gone to oblivion, with the rest of the heathen mythology : 
her smiles and frowns ought never to be alluded to, except 
in verse — never in prose or conversation. What is fre- 
quentl} r ascribed to i,H-luck, is often nothing more than a 
want of foresight, prudence, industry, or perseverance ; 
these are the qualities that make men rich, prosperous, and 
happy. m 

Put off your armour, and then show your courage. 

Put a coward to his metal, and he'll fight like the devil, 

Quick at meat quick at work. 
R. 

Raise no more spirits than you can conjure down. 

Remove an old tree and it will wither to death. 

Remember the i^koning. 

A good motto tJB|inscribed on the mantle-piece of public- 
houses, or enliven at the bottom of all porter pots, punch 
bowls, and drinking mugs. It would *make topers think 
of the "finish ;" though it would probably displease their 
landlords. 

Riches in the Indies, wit in Europe, pomp among the 
Ottomans. — Turkish. 

Rome was not built in a dav. 



OF ALL NATIONS'. 49 

S. 

Save a thief from the gallows, and he will be the first to 
cut your throat. 

Satan reproves sin. 

Saying and doing are two things. 

Say well is good, but do well is better. 

Say nothing of my debts unless you mean to pay them. 

Sampson was a strong man, yet he could not pay money 
^ before he had it. 
vscoraing is catching. 

Zander beg's sword must have Scanderbeg's arm. 

A hero of the fifteenth century, who distinguished himself 
by the several victories obtained over the Turks. He was 
Kin? of Albania, and is said to have been present in twenty- 
two battles, and to have killed 2,000 infidels with his own 
hands, without receiving only a slight wound. He died at 
Lissa. in the Venetian territories, 1467, aged 63. Though 
occasionally severe, he was a prince of mild manners, and 
great benevolence. 

Send not for a haVchet to break open an egg with. 

Send yorr noble blood to market, and see what it will buy. 

Those who pride themselves on their ancestors, have been 
ludicrously compared to a potatoe, the best part of which 
is under ground. " Virtue alone ennobles. " 
" He whose mind 
Is virtuous, is alone of noble kind ; 
Though poor in fortune, of celestial race ; 
And he commits the crime who>call him base."— dryden, 
Pride of birth, however, has hardly any place in England ; 
while talent, industry, perseverance "have a fair chance, 
when usefully directed, to receive their deserts. 
Seven hour's sleep makes a clown forget his design. 
Secret joys are like an extinguished candle.— Spanish. 

Solitary joy is the most melancholy thing in the world. If 
we have any thing to rejoice at, let us rejoice with our 
friends and acquaintance. When I get a prize in the lotte- 
ry, or my old uncle dies, and leaves me a thousand pounds^ 
" Then I'll sit down : give me some wine ; 
I drink to the general joy of the whole table ! 

Seek not for a good man's pedigree. 

Spanish. — Al hombre buen'o no le busquen abolengo* 

Seek till you find and you'll not lose your labour, 

^Seldom seen, soon forgotten. 



m 



SELECT PROVERBS 



Serve a great man and you will know what sorrow is — 

Spanish. 
Service is no inheritance. 
Set the saddle on the right horse. 
Set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the devil. 

Asperius nihil est humili cum surgit in ahum. — Claudian. 
Shallow waters make most noise. — Scotch. 
Sharp stomachs make short graces. 
Shake a bridle over a Yorkshireman's grave, and he'll rise t 

and steal a horse. 

The passion of the people of Yorkshire for horses still con- 
tinues, if one may judge from the number and excellence 
of their race-grounds, one of the most celebrated of which 
is called Knaves-mire Whether the old penchant for car- 
rying off their favourite beast by night, a-la-Scot, continues, 
we cannot say ; but, in looking among the worthies of the 
Criminal Calendar, we certainly do not find agreater pro- 
portion of Yorkshiremen executed for horse-stealing, sheep- 
stealing, and other rustic offences, than in the other coun- 
ties of the kingdom. /y- ' 

Shameless craving must have shameless Refusing. 
French.— A bon demandeur bon refuseur. 

Shorter is a draught than a tale. — Gaelic. 

This proverbial cut is , meant to abridge a tedious tale, or 
too long a story. 

Short reckonings make long friends. 
French. — A vieux compter, nouvelles disputes. 

Sly knavery is too hard for honest wisdom. 

Since you know every thing, and I know nothing, pray 
tell me what I dreamed this morning. 

Silence is consent. 
Ital. — Chi tace confessa. 

Slander always leaves a slur. 
Throw much dirt and some will stick. 

Sluts are good enough to make sloven's pottage. 

Small rain lays a great dust. 

Some are wise and some are otherwise. 

Some good things I do not love ; a good long mile, good 
small beer, and a good old woman. 

Sorrow and an evil life make soon an old wife. 

Sorrow and ill weather cometh unsent for. — Scotch. 

^oon. hot. soon cold. 



<i>* ALLlNATIONS. 5$ 

Soon ripe, soon rotten. 

Lai. — Cito maturum, cito putridum. 
Spare to speak and spare to speed. 
Store is no sore. 
Stars are not seen by sun-shine. 
Surgeons must have an eagle's eye, a lion's heart, and a 

lady's hand. 
Success makes a fool seem wise. 
\ Sudden.trust brings sudden repentance, 
l^uch as the tree i3, such is the fruit. 

T. 
Tailors and authors must mind the fashion. 
Taki heed of an ox before, an ass behind, and a monk on 

all sides — Spanish. 
Take heed yoa find not that you do not seek, — Italian. 
Take time while time is, for time will away — Scotch. 
Tales of Robin, Hood are good enough for fools. 
Talk of the wai\but do not go to it. — Spanish. 
Tell me with whom thou goest, and I'll tell thee what 

thou doet. 
Tell a tale to a mare and she'll let a f . French. 

If you discourse on subjects above the capacity of your hear- 
ers, or foreign to their pursuits in life, you will be either 
laughed at, or not listened to. 

That is not good language which all understand not. 

That city cannot prosper where an ox is sold for less than 
a fish. 

As was the case with ancient Rome at the commencement of 
her decline. It all ides to the state of luxury which usual- 
ly precedes the downfal of nations. 

Tha; w.iich willuot make a pot, may make a pot-lid. 

Thai is a prodigious piaister for so small a sore. 

That 13 well spoken, that is well taken. 

That pilgrim is base that speaks ill of his staff. — :Spa:~i$h. 

That sheep has his belly full which butts his companion,. 
Spanish. 

Those who have ate and drank freely are more gay and wan- 
ton than when cool and fasting. 

That is but an empty purse that is full of other tolks 5 
monev. 



m SELECT PROVERBS 

That which has its value from fancy is hot very valuable* 

That which covers thee, discovers thee. 
Spanish. — Quien te cubre te descubre. 

Intimating, that external splendour and wealth, without me- 
rit, only more expose the unworthiness of the possessor. 

That must be true which all men say. 

The first pig:, but the last whelp of the litter is best. 

There is no fishing for trout in dry breeches. — Spanish. 

The tears of a whore, and the oaths of a bully, may be 
put in the same bottle. 

The chickens are the country's, but the city eats them. 

The biggest horses are not the best travellers* 

The ass that carries wine drinks water. 

The cow knoWs not the value of her tail till she has lost it. 

The difference is wide that the sheets will not decide. 

The cat is in the dove house. — Spanish. 
Said when a man has got amongst the women. 

The horse thinks one thing and his ride/ahother. 

Mandeville, author of the " Fable of the Bees," remarks,, 
that if the horse hand the gift of reason, he, for one, should 
be sorry to be its rider. He applies the same principle to 
the education of the working classes, thinking that the 
diffusion of knowledge among them would render them less 
docile to their employers, and more impatient under the 
hardships of their situation. A vile and erroneous senti- 
ment, which has been entirely confuted. 

The frying pan said to the kettle, Avaunt, black brows. 

The crutch of Time does more than the club of Hercules. 

The brains of a fox will be of little service if you play 
with the paw of a lion. 

The complaints of the present times is the general com- 
plaint of all times. 

The golden age never was the present age. 

The eye that sees all things else, sees not itself. 

Tbelittle wimble will let in the great auger. 

The first of the nine orders of knaves is he that tells his 
errand before he goes it. 

The Italianised Englishman is a devil incarnate. — Italian. 

A ^pretty description ; of our travelling countrymen, from 

their hosts. 
The prick of a pia is enough [to^make an empire insipid 

for a time, 



"'""■' 



OF ALL NATIONS. ^ 

j^Fhe wise hand does not all the foolish tongue speaks. 

The pleasures of the< great are the tears of the poor. 

The mouse does not leave the cat's house with a belly 
full. — Spanish. 
When a person is in fear, he is in no state for enjoyment. 

The child says nothing' but what he heard at the fire side. 

The fox is very cunning, but he is more cunning that 
catches him.— Spanish. 
yThe devil was so fond of his children that he plucked out 

"\ their eye*.-- -Spanish. 

A reproof to parents who indulge their children to the inju- 
ry of their health and education. 

The dog wags his his tail not for you, but for the bread.— 

Spanish. 
The lower mill-stone grinds as well as the upper. 
The more worship, the more cost. 
French. — Les honneurs cotent. 
The hog never^poks up to him that threshes down the 

acorns. 
The eyes, the ears, the tongue, the hands, the feet, all feist 

in their way. 
The solder is well paid for doing mischief. — Italian. 
The reserve is engaged. 

A proverbial expression of the Romans, for their last stake 
at play , and quoted by D'Jsraeli as characteristic of the 
military habits of that people. 

The absent party is always faulty. 

The highway is never about. 

The Italian is wise before he undertakes a thing, the Ger- 
man while he is doing it, and the Frenchman when it 
is over. 

The worst pig often gets the best pear. 

The first men in the world were a gardener, a grazier? 
and a ploughman. 

The devil rebukes sin. 

French — Le renard preche aux poules. 

The Englishman weeps, the Irishman sleeps, but the 
Scctf' N mua goes while he gets it. 

Th? bmitting to one wrong brings on another. — Spanish, 

The singing-man keeps a shop in his throat.- — Spanish. 

e5* 



04 SELECT PROVERBS 

The more the merrier, the fewer the better cheer. 
The devil wipes his tail with the poor man's pride. 
The remedy of to-mQrrow is too late for the evil of to-day, 

— Spanish . 
The ox when weariest treads surest. 
Those that are slow are sure. 
The mouse that has but one hole is easily taken. 
The pitcher does not go so often to the water but it cornea 

home broken at last. 
The devil is good when he is pleased. 
The still sow drinks all the draff. — Dutch. 
The barber learns to shave on the orphan's face. — 

Arabic. 
In capite orphani discit chirurgus. 
The fairest rose at last is withered. 
The proof of the pudding is in the eating. 
The weakest must go the wall. 
The better workman, the worse husband.? 
There are as many exceptions in this proverb, as to the 

French saying, " Bon poete, mauvais homme." A good 

poet, a bad man. 
The whole ocean is made up of single drops. 
The usurer and spendthrift are cat and mouse. 
The way to Babylon will never bring you to Jerusalem. 
The butcher looked for his knife when he had it in his 

mouth. 
The disease a man dreads, that he dies of. — Spanish. 
The dearest child of all is that which is dead. 
The master's eye makes the horse fat, 

A fat man riding upon a lean horse, was asked how it came 
to pass that he was so fat and kis horse so lean ? " Be- 
cause," says he,, " I feed myself, but my servant feeds my 
horse." 

The- \ast drop makes the cup run over. 

The sweetest wine makes the sharpest vinegar. 
Lett. — Corruptio optimi est pessima. 

The friar preached against stealing when he had a pud- 
ding in his sleeve. 

The request of a lord is a kind of a force upon a man. 

The great thieves punish the little ones.'' 

The informer is the worst rogue of the two. 



J OF ALL NATIONS, 

The least boy always carries the great fiddle. 

All lay the load upon those that are least able to bear it, or 

have the least means of defending themselves. 
The devil laughs when the hungry man gives to him with 

a belly full. — Spanish. 
The better day, the better deed. 
The Jews spend at Easter, the Moors at marriages, and 

the Christians in suits of law. — Italian. 
Vine highest standing the lowest fall. 
The tongue breaketh bone, though itself hath none. 
The worth of a thing i3 best known by the want of it. — » 

Scotch. 
The longesl day must have an end. 

French. — II n'est si grand jour qui ne vienne a vespre. 
The crow thinks her own bird the fairest. 
The Ethiopians are said to paint the devil white, and of 

course, angels black. Every one is partial to his own ; his 

own art, his own compositions, his children, and country. 

Self-love is a nk>te in every one's eye ; and hence we not 

unfrequently observe, even the modest and perspicacious,. 

devour, without suspicion, the most fulsome flattery, when 

lavished on their own immaginary virtues and perfections,. 

The burnt child dreads the fire. 

The higher the ape goes the more he shows his tail. 

Honour is unseemly for a fool. Prov. xxvi. 1. 
The best payment is the peck bottom. — Scotch. 
That is, when you have measured out your grain, to receive 

your payment on the peck that measured it. 
The usual forms of civility oblige no man. 
The death of youth is a shipwreck. 
The greasest king must at last go to bed with a shovel. 
The best thing in the world is to live above it. 
The shortest answer is doing the thing. 
The clerk wishes the priest to have a fat dish. — Gaelic 
The mouse is mistress of her own mansion. — Gaelic. \ 
The first thing a poor gentleman calls for in the morning! 

is a needle and thread. — Scotch. 
The greatest clerks are not always the wisest men. 
There is no deceit in a brimmer. 
The Devil's upon a great heap, 



56 SELECT PROVERBS 

The man that is happy in all things, is more rare than the 
Phoen>x. — Italian. 

The remedy is worse than the disease. — Scotch. 

The wise man knows he knows nothing, the fool thinks 
he knows all — Italian. 

The tears of the congregation are the praises of the minis- 
ter. — Italian. 
he eyes *erve for ears to the deaf. — Italian. 

The more you -troke pussy's back, the higher she raises 
her tail.- Gaelic. 

The wolf is always said to be more terrible than he is.— 
Italian. 

The potter is hostile to the potter. 

A proverbial verse of great antiquity ; It is in Hesiod's 
" Works and Days," intimating the envy and jealousy of 
rival workmen and manufacturers. It answers to the Gae- 
lic proverb, " One dog is better by another dog being hang- 
ed." 

The burden which was thoughtlessly got/must be patient- 
ly borne. — Gaeiic. 

The habit does not make the priest. — Italian. 

The second blow makes the fray. 

The oldest man that ever lived died at last. — Gaelic. 

The mother reckons well, but the infant reckons better.— 
Spanish. 

Applied to pregnant ladies, who are often in error in their 
reckoning, when the appearance of the child settles the 
account 

The book of May-bees is very broad. — Scotch. 

Three removes are as bad as a fire. 

There is more hope in a fool than a man wise in his own 

conceit. 
There is no disputing of tastes, appetites, and fancies. 
There is no banqu t but some dislike something in it. 
There is something in it, quoth the fellow, when he drank 

( dish-clout and all. 
There is none fo deaf as those that will not hear. — Ital. 

There is scarcely any inconvenience without some compen- 
sating advantage, and we dare say, there are those who 
have found an occasional advantage in being a little hard 
of hearing. >ir Joshua Reynolds did : — 
To coxcombs averse, yet mos^ civily steering, 
When they judged without skill, he was still hard of hearing 



* 



OF ALL NATIONS. 

When they talked of their Raphaels, Corregios, and stuff, 
He shifted his trumpet, and only took snuff," — Goldsmith 
There would be no ill language, if it were not ill taken. 
They that hide can find. 

They whip the cat if the mistress does not spin. — Spanish. 
The innocent often suffer for the negligence and indolence of 

others. 
They are scarce of horse-flesh where two and twe ride 
x on a dog.- 
f hey need much whom nothing will content. 
They shall have no more of our prayers than we of their 

pies* quoth the vicar of Layton. 
They love me for little that hate me for naught.— Scotch. 
There's nothing agrees worse than a proud mind and a 

beggars purse. 
There is no quenching of fire with tow. , 
There is no great banquet but some fare ill. 
There could be m great ones, if there were no little ones, 
There is never enough where nought leaves. — Italian. 
There is no general rule without exceptions. 
There's reason in roasting of eggs. 
They that sell kids aud have no goats, how came they by 

them ? 
A delicate allusion to those who live high, without any risi- 
ble means of subsistence. 
Thing? unreasonable are never durable. — Italian. 
Though the sun shines, leave not your cloak at home. 
Three may keep counsel if two be away. — Scotch. 
Thistles are a salad for asses.— Scotch. 
Think much, speak little, and write less. 
Though old and wise, yet still advise. 
Thinking is very far from knowing. 
Though all men were made of'one metal, yet were they 

not all cast in the same mould. 
Though the cat winks she is not blind. ^ 
Threatened folks live long. 
Thus it is we are ruined, husband ; you are good for little, 

and I for less.— Spanish. 
Time and tide stay for no man. 
Time is a rile that wears and makes no noise. 
Three things cost dear : the caresses of a dog, the love of 

a mistress, and the invasion of eiq ho*t. 



58 SELECT PROVERBS 

To strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. 

To show the gallows before they show the town. — Span, 

Descriptive of those who tease and vex a person before they 

do him the very benefit they are about to confer, — acting 

kindly, but speaking roughly. 
To take from a soldier ambition, is to take off his spurs. 
To promise, and give nothing, is comfort for a fool. 
To travel safely through the world, a man must have a 

falcon's eye, an ass's ears, an ape's face, a merchant's 

words, a camel's back, a hog's mouth, and a hart's legs. 

— Italian* 
To throw pearls before swine. 

Spanish. — Echar margaritas a puercos. 
To hang every door with May. — Italian, 
An elegant allusion to the universal lover. It is taken from 

the custom of country people in Italy, who, in the month 

of May, plant a bough before the door of their mistress. 

A similar custom prevailed in England, as we learn from 

Stowe. 
To be a bad v edge. — Spanish. 
Said of a fet person, when he forceg himself into a crowded 

place, annoying all around him 
T® set the fox to keep the geese. — Italian. 
To lather an ass's head is only wasting soap. — Spanish. 
To expect and not to come ; to be in bed and not to sleep ; 

to serve and not to please ; are three things enough to 

kill a man. — Ital. 
To-day— me, t< --morrow, — thee. 

French. Aujourd' hui roi, demain rien. 
To borrow on usury bi ings sudden beggary. 
To what place can the ox go where he must not plough ? 

— Spanish 
Tread on a worm and it will turn. 
Too much of one thing is good for nothing. 
"Ne quid nimis" is a wise maxim, ascribed by some to 

Thales. by others to Solon. 
Touch a ia led horse and ue'll kick. 

Ital. Non parlate di corda in casa delle appicato. 
Trade knows neither friends nor kindred. — Italian, 
Trust not a horse's heel nor a dog's tooth. 



. 



0F ALL KATiONS. 53 

Trust not the praise of a friend, nor the contempt of an 

enemy. — Italian. ♦> 
Two blacks make ho white. — Scotch. 
Two eyes are better than one.— French. 
Two of a trade seldom agree. 
Two cats and a mouse, two wives in one house, two dogs 

and a bone, never agree in one. 
Two things a man should never be angry at ; — what he 

can help, and what he cannot help. 
U. V. 
Under my cloak I'll kill the king. — Spanish. 
Meaning that, as a man's thoughts cannot be controlled,. 

he may kill the king in imagination. 
Venture a small fish to catch a great one. 
Venture not all in one bottom. 
W. 
Water run by, will not turn a mill. — Spanish. 
Wanton kittens may make sober old cats. 
We must live by the quick, not by the dead. 
We shall be all bald a hundred years hence. — Spanish. 

Aye, in less time than that. Really, it is melancholy to re- 
flect on the quick vicissitudes in sublunary affairs. Only 
think of the strange mutations in this busy metropolis, in 
half a century or less. Where will then be the bright eyes 
and fair countenances that now fill our streets with life and 
gaiety! What will have become of the bigwigs and fur 
gowns — the counsellors and judges — the orators of St, 
Stephen's— the turtle-eating alaermen, the prating common 
councilmen, and the Cent-per-cents of Job-alley. The stars 
of Almack's, and the blossoms of St. Giles's, will have 
alike faded, or set in endless night. They will all have 
gone out " like a snuff," and have been quietly put to bed 
with " a shovel or a spade/' and a new generation arisen, 
just as vain and bustling as their predecessors It makes 
one's heart ache to think on it, yet so it is,— - 
" Time is like a fashionable host, \ 

That slightly shakes his parting guest by the hand,, 
But, with his arm out-stretch d as he would fly, 
Grasps the incomer." 

We are all Adam's children, but silk makes the difference, 

Weak men and cowards are commonly wily. 

We think lawyers to be wise men, and they lAorr " a to 
l-jp fools. 



60 



SELECT PROVERBS. 



We are never so happy or unfortunate as we think our- 
selves. 

We are born crying, live complaining, and die disappoint- 
ed. 

Well lathered is half shaven. 

Weigh right, if you sell dear. 

Welcome death, quoth the rat, when the trap fell down. 

Was it not for hope the heart would break. — Scotch. 

Well ought a poem to be made at first, since it hath many 
a spoiler. — Gaelic. 

Lack-a-day ! Had the Gael their critics too,— their Edin- 
burgh and Quarterly reviewers, and all the small fry o» 
il spoilers 1" 

What is the use of patience if we cannot find it when we 

want it? 
What the eye sees need not be guessed at. 
What good can it do an ass to be called a lion ? 
What a dust I have raised, quoth the fly on the wheel. 
What Cannot be cared must be endured/ 
What is gotten over the devil's back is spent under his 

belly. 
What a man desires he easily believes. 
What ! keep a dog and bark myself. 
What as bought is cheaper than a gift. 
What your glass tells you, will not be told by counsel. 
What you do when you are drunk, you must pay for when 

you are dry.— Scotch. 
What the Gauntlets gets the gorget consumes. — French, 

A military proverb, ascribed to the celebrated Bayard ; im- 
plying that the pomp and waste of a soldier's life consume 
all the sword can procure, either in pay or plunder. 

W T hat pretty things men will make for money, qugth the 
old woman when she saw a monkey. 

What is done cannot be undone. — French. 

What enjoyment ! to have little to eat and keep a servant. 
Spanish. 

W r hat's none of my profit shall be none of my peril. — 
Scotch. 

What may be done at any time will be done at no time. 
Scotch. 

What I gpnnot do by might I'll do by slight. — Scotch. 
fM.—S'i leoninae pellis noa satis sit. addenda vulpina. 



OF ALL NATIONS, £1 

What is done in the night appears in the day. — Italian, 
When the cat is away the mice will play. 

Ital — Quando la gatta non in casa, i sorici ballano. 
When candles are out all cats are gray. 

Spanish.— he noche todos los gatos son pardos. 

French.— A nuittuosles chats iont gris. 
Which is the same as the English in both nations ; and shows 

either, how universal the same proverb is diffused, or how 

in different countries the same fact has given rise to the 

same observation. 
VV hen the wine is in, the wit is out. 
When the shoulder of mutton is going it is good to take a 

slice. 
When rogues fall out, honest men come by their own. 
W T hen the horse is stolen the stable door is shut 
The Italians say, " Every ditch is full of your after-wits/' 
When a iaquey comes to hell the devil locks the gates. 
W r hen the barn is full you may thresh before the door. 
When you have plenty of money, there is no need of obscuri- 
ty, you may live openly, and in society. 
When every hand fleeceth, the sheep go naked. 
When you are all agreed upon the time, quoth the Y T ieary 

I'll make it rain. 
When two friends have a common purse, one sings and the 

other weeps. 
When the sun shines, nobody minds him ; but when he 

is eclipsed, all consider him. 
When good cheer is lacking, our friends will be packing, 
When a friend asketh, there is no to-morrow.— Spanish. 
When the fox preaches, beware of your geese. 
When an ass is among monkeys they all make faces at 

him. — Spanish. 
When it pleases not God, the saint can do little.— Spanish , 

— Italian. 
When every one takes care of himself, care is taken of all. 

French. — Quand chacun se mele de son metier, les vackes 
sont bien gardees. *j 

" Self-love and social are the same." — Pope. 
A truth which is daily becoming more apparent as may be 
seen by the recent removal of restrictions of commercial 
freedom, and suffering public prosperity to rest on the basis 
of individual interest. The same liberal policy will doubt- 
less ere long be extended to the freedom of intellect and 
.pinions, G 



§3 SELEe^ PROVERBS 

"When all men say you are an ass it is time bray. 

When one will not, two can not quarrel. — Spanish. 

When the curate licks the knife, it must be bad for the 
clerk. — Spanish. 

When a peasant is on horseback, he knows neither God 
nor any one. — Spanish. 

When the heart is full of lust the mouth is full of lies. 

When you have attained power and wealth, beware of inso- 

• lence, pride and oppression. 

When the bow is too much bent it breaks. — Italian. 

When sorrow is asleep, wake it not. 

When thy neighbours house is on fire look to thine own. 
Lat.~- Tunc tua res agitur paries cum proximus ardet. 

Where God hath his church the devil will hare his cha- 
pel. 
* Where nothing's to be had, the king must lose his rights* 

Where love fails, we spy all faults. 

Where nothing is, a little doth ease. 

Where the hedge i3 low r est, men com mostly leap over. 
French. — Chacunjoue au roi despouilla. 

Vv 7 here the carcass is, there the ravens will collect ^to- 
gether. — Gaelic. 

Where a man is not known when he speaks* he i3 not be- 
lieved. — Italian. 

Where men are well used they'll frequent there. 

While there's life there's hope. 

While the grass grows the steed starves. — Italian: 

Who so deaf as they that will not hear* 

Who goes to the wars eats ill, drinks worse, and sleeps, on 
the ground. — Italian* 

Who has land, has war. 
French. — Qui terre a, guerre a. 

Who wishes to burn the house of his neighbour, ought to 
think of his own. — Italian. 

Who looks not before finds himself behind. 

Who robs a scholar, robs the public.— ^Spanish. 

It is a horrid sin to rob a scholar ; a thousand times worse 
than sacrilege. They have seldom much to be robbed of. 
and to take from them the little they have is cruelty^beyond 
endurance, Besides, literary men are strictly the servants 
of the public, who live by contributing to its amusement 
qjid instruction. Hence the proverb ; for he who robs a 



OP ALL NATIONS 63 

scholar of iiis money, or the implements of his trade " robs 
the public," by depriving it of the means by which it may 
be accommodated. 

Who hunts two hares, leaves one and loses the other.— 
Ital. 

Who can help sickness ? quoth the drunken wife, when 
she fell into the gutter. 

With cost, good pottage may be made out of the leg of a 
joint stool. 

Wishes never can fill a sack. 

Who shall hang the bell about the cat's neck ? 
Ital. — Appicior chi vuoP il sonaglio alia gatta. 

This proverb is used in most European countries, and founded 
on the fable of the mice, who held a consultation on the 
best means to be apprised of the cat's coming ; when 
it was determined to hang a bell about her neck. But the 
next question was who would do it ? and hence the proverb. 
Kelly relates, that the nobility of Scotland entered into 
conspiracy r gainst one Spence, the favourite of James HI. 
It was proposed to go in a body to Stirling, to take Spence 
and hang him, and then to offer their service to the King 
as his natural counsellors. The Lord Gray says, :i It is 
well said, but who will bell the cat V The Earl of Angus 
answerd. " I will bell the cat ;" which he effected and was 
ever afterwards called " Archibald Bell Cat " 

Who shall keep the keepers ? 

Who hath aching teeth hath ill tenants. 

Who loses his due gets no thanks. 

Who has not a good tongue ought to have good hands. 

Who dangles after the great is the last at table, and the 
first at blows. — Ital. ^fl 

Who are you for ? I am for him whom I get most by. 

An appropriate motto for the independant electors of Gatton. 
Appleby, OldSarum. and a score more rotten boroughs. 

Without pains no gains. 

Wit once bought is worth twice taught. 

With Latin, a horse, and money, thou wilt pass through 
the world. — Spanish. > 

Let us have the two last and we will be content to jog on com- 
fortably ; leaving the Latin to the Church and the doctors. 

Wit is folly, unless a man hath the keeping of it. ! 

Wine in the bottle doth not quench thirst. — Italian. 

Winter finds out what summer conceals. 






«4 SELECT PROVERBS 

Without a friend the world is a wilderness. 

Whoever is the fox's servant must bear up his tail.-— 
Gaelic. 

Wolves may lose their teeth but not their nature. 

Words are but wind, but seeing is believing. 

Write with the learned, but speak with the vulgar. 

Words from the mouth only die in the ears, but words 
proceeding from the heart stay there. — Italian, 
Y. 

You may dance on the ropes without reading Euclid. 

Should any one dispute this truth, he had better go to Ast- 
ley's amphitheatre, or Sadler's Wells. He will there see 
philosophy reduced to, practice ; and men who never heard 
of the centre of gravity, or the laws of motion, verifying 
all these principles, and, in a twenty-five feet ring, illustra- 
ting the laws which keep the planets in their orbits, 
There is nothing, in fact, more surprising than the feats 
of balancing and equestrianship we witness in our places 
of public amusement ; they are as interesting to the philo- 
sopher as the clown, being founded on the most mysterious 
and important principles in nature. Take, for example, the 
feat we lately saw at Astley's, in a piece called the " Fly- 
ing Shepherd." The horse was going round the circle 
with incredible speed, while the intrepid equestrian leaned 
inwards, with his head almost touching the ground. The 
speed of the horse, in this case, kept the rider in his peril- 
ous position, for had the horse slackend his pace the equi- 
librium would have been destroyed, and the rider precipita- 
ted to the ground. He was balanced by what mathemati- 
cians call the centrifugal and Centripetal forces, of which, I 
dare say, the performer had never heard a word. It is on 
the same principle, we see crown-piecs, drinking-glasses? 
and other things, balanced ; the whirling motion they give 
them which astonishes the uninitiated, is the very means by 
which the feat is accomplished. After all, the perfrrtion 
they attain, by mere dint of practice, without the least ac- 
quaintance with the principles of their art, is astonishing. 
Their philosophy far excels the philosophy of the closet, 
for k is real and practical, while the other is mere theory. 

Your main fault is, you are good for nothing. 

Yielding is sometimes the best way for succeeding. — Itah 

You look at what I drink and not at my thirst. — Spanish, 

You are a good hand to help a lame dog over a stile. 

You will never be revenged of a man of cool and regular 
habits. — Spanish. 

He is always too much upon his own guard. 



OF ALL NATIONS. 65 

i: Calmness is great advantage , he that lets 
Another chafe, may warm him at the fire, 
Mark all his wanderings, and enjoy his frets ; 
As cunning fencers suffer heat to tire." 

You'll never be mad. you are of so many minds. 

You cannot make velvet of a sow's ear. 

You are so cunning, you know not what weather it is 
when it rains. 

You could make broth, but you have no beef. 

You need not get a golden pen to write upon dirt. 

You have found a mare's nest and laugh at the eggs. 

You must look at the horse and not at the mare. — Spanish. 

That is, for the breed. It is used to show, that rank and 
blood must be on the side of the male in family alliances, 
But this is all exploded vanity ; since science teaches that 
human bloood is of the same colour, in males and females, 
the noble and the peasant. 

You may be a wise man, and yet not know how to makf- 
a watcb. 

You saw out your tree before you cut it down. 

You have always a ready mouth for a ripe cherry. 

You can never make a good shaft of a pig's tail. 

You sift night and day and get nothing but bran. 

Young cocks love no coops. 

You give notable counsel, but he is a fool that takes it. 

You must ask your neighbour if you shall live in peace. 

You will find it out when you want to fry the eggs.- — 
Spanish. ^ 

The proverb has its origin from a thief who, having stolen 
a frying-pan, was met by the master of the house as he was 
going out, who asked him his business there ; he answered, 
" You will know when you go to fry the eggs. 7 '— It is appli- 
cable to cases where we only discover the value of a thing 
when it is wanted. 

You come a day after the fair. — Scotch. 

You cannot tell a pie-bald horse till you see him. — Gaelic. 

You cannot have more of the cat than the skin. \ 

You cannot fair weel, but yo cry roast meat. — Scotch. 

Young men think old men fools, and old men know young: 

men to be so. 
You cannot catch old birds with chaff. 

hot. — Annosa vulpes ncm capitur laqueo. 
6* 




religion/virtue, and learning. 






A. 



A chaste eye exiles licentious looks. 

Alms-giving never made any man poor, nor robbery rich, 
nor prosperity wise. 

A friend is never known till needed. 

Amicus certus, in re incerta cernitur. — Cic. ex ennio. 

An atheist is got one point beyond the devil. 

Argument seldom convinces any one contrary to his in- 
clinations. 

A madman and a fool are no witnesses. 

A lie has no legs, but a slander has wings. 

A liar is a bravo towards God, and a coward towards men. 

A wise man is a great wonder. 

A promise against law or duty is void in its own nature. 

An ape may chance to sit amongst the doctors. 

A little wind kindles a great fire, a great one blows it out. 

To this, Rochefoucault likens the effects of absence on lovers. 
He says, absence extinguishes a feeble passion, but blows 
a strong one into a flame. 

A careless watch invites a vigilant foe. 

A wise man may look like a fool in fool's company. 

A debauched son of a noble family is a foul stream from a 

clear fountain. 
A mere scholar at court is an ass among asses. 
Away goes the devil when he finds the door shut against 

hinv 
All vice infatuates and corrupts the judgment. 
An irritable and passionate man is a downright drunkard 
—Spanish. 

A man that breaks his word bids others be false to him. 
A man may as well expect to be at ease without wealth 

as happy without virtue. 



RELIGION, VIRTUE, AND LEARNING. 67 

.1 style is better than a lewd story. 
A knave discovered is a great fool. 
As good be hanged for an old sheep as a young lamb. 

If you will be a knave ; be not so in a trifle, but in something 
of value. Kelly, in illustration of this proverb, has the fol- 
lowing anecdote : A presbyterian minister had a son who 
was made arch deacon of Ossory ; when this was told to 
his father he said, • if my son will be a knave, I am glad 
that he is an arch -knave/ It is a false and mischievous pro- 
verb to tliose foolish enough to believe it. 

\ wicked companion invites us all to hell. 

A man is not good or bad for one action. 

We ought to balance the good with the bad, and also the 
length of time a man has lived, to form a true estimate of 
his character. Polybius, the Greek historian, has an obser- 
vation to the same effect ; " There is no reason/' says he, 
u why we should not sometimes blame, and sometimes com- 
mend, the same person ; for as none are always right, nei- 
ther is it probable that they should be always wrong." 

A vicious man's son has a good title to vice. 

A lie begets a lie till they come to generations. 

A good life keeps off wrinkles. — Spanish* 

An old goat is never the more reverend for his beard. 

A wise man's thought walks within him, a fool's without 
him. 

A great reputation is a great charge. 

A fool may chance to put something in a wise mans head. 

A little time may be enough to hatch a great deal of mis- 
chief. 

A bad man has a blot in his escutcheon. 

A liar is not believed when he speaks the truth. — Italian. 

A horse 13 neither better nor worse for his trappings. 

All happiness is in the mind. 

Happiness is not in a cottage, ror a palace, nor in riches, 
nor in poverty, nor in wisdom, nor in ignorance, nor 
in active nor in passive life. — There is evil as well as 
good in all these. It is certainly in the mind, but the diffi- 
culty is in getting it to dwell there An old monk has lefb 
the following maxims to pass through life comfortably: 
Never speak ill of your superiors. 
Perform every one's office according to his quality. . 

Suffer the mad world to go Its own way. for it wills to go list 
own way. 



65 RELIGION, VIRTUE; AND LEARNING, 

After all the attainment of the summumhonum is not so diffi- 
cult as is generally supposed. The first thing is not to be 
too eager in the pursuit of it ; not to make, as one may say. 
<a trade of it : for it is certainly true, that he who seeks his 
content most will find it least. The way is to take things 
•as they happen to turn up, easy, without too much anxiety 
about consequences. The present mode of life is much too 
artificial, has too many factitious passions — too much am- 
bition, pride, and emulation, which keep men in a constant 
state of excitement and exertion. Follow nature ; rest 
when you are weary, eat when you are hungry, drink when 
.you are thirsty. Pursue what is most congenial to your 
inclinations and abilities. If you are only fit for solitude, 
seek not active life, and vice versa. No man all things can. 
Indulge your inclinations, always subordinate to reason, 
and the laws and usages of society. Nothing overmuch is 
an invaluable maxim to be observed in all things. Lastly, 
if you have not the means to live according to these rules 
endeavour to procure them as soon as possible. 
" True happiness is to no spot confin'd, 
If you preserve a firm and equal mind : 
; Tis here, 'tis there, 'tis every where. ; %- Horace. 
An upright judge has more regard to justice than to men. 

— -Ital. 
Amendment is repentance. 
An ill man is worse when he appears good. 
All fame is dangerous ': good brings envy ; bad, shame. 
A good cause makes a stout heart and a strong arm. 
A house filled with guests is eaten up and ill spoken of. 

Spanish. Casa hospedada, comida y denostada. 
•Indiscriminate hospitality, which occasions the ruin of fami 

lies, is seldom praised by those who have shared in it. 
A man, like a watch, is to be valued for his goings. 
Arrogance is a weed that grows mostly on a dunghill. 
A wise man gets learning from those who have none them- 
selves. — Eastern. 
Anger is often more hurtful than the injury that caused it. 
A fyyprocite pays tribute to God that she may impose on 

men. 
After prajnng to Cod not to lead you into temptation, do 

not throw yourself into it. 
An envious man waxes lean with the fatness of his neigh- 
bour. 
A profitable religion never wanted nroselytes. Italian, 



RELIGION, VIRTUE, AND LEARNING, 69 

A food conscience is the best divinity. 

A goose quill is more dangerous than a lion's claw. 

There is nothing more powerful than the pen of an able wri- 
ter, The sword of the warrior is nothing to it. That can 
only have power over life, while the former has the gift of 
immortality, and can consign to glory or infamy the great- 
est names of the earth. Where would have been the great 
characters of history without some writer to record their 
actions ? As before observed, there were many heroes pri- 
or to Fingal and Agamemnon ; but as there were no Os- 
^ians ugt Homers, their names perished with their exploit?. 
Ir is not, however, the dead only, but the living also thai 
great writers have power over. In this intellectual age. 
Opinion is truly the queen of the world ; and who guide 
opinion but men of letters ? They are the keepers of the 
public conscience, and the distributors of its judgments 
and honours. They are far above princes and statesmen, 
for though these may have wealth and power, they canivt 
have that permanent renown which all covet, without the 
fiat of the literati. 

A libertine life is not a life of liberty. 

A wicked man is his own hell ; and his pa:sions and lusts 
the fiends that torment him. 
B. 

Better untaught than ill-taught. 

Better be alone than in ill company. — Scotch. 

Better late ripe and bear, than early blossom and blast, j 

Letter go t rags, than to hell in embroidery. 

Bear and forbear is good philosophy. 

Be a father to virtue, but father-in-law to vice. 

Better ten guilty escape than one innocent man suffer. 

Ilol* — Meglio e liberar dieci'rei, che condannar un innocen- 
te. 
A well-known maxim in English jurisprudence, which ap- 
pears to have come from Italy, DV Paley doubted the poli- 
cy of it in our criminal code, while Blackstone, and after- 
wards Sir S. Romiily, were in its favour. It seems to hfrve 
originated from observing the natural disposition of man- 
kind^ which is to good rather than evil. When, therefore. 
in criminal cases, the balance of evidence is equal, we ought 
from the greater naturalrtendency the accused had to refrain 
from, than to commit the alleged crime, to conclude him 
innocent. Whether the fractional proportion should be 
j-tenth or one-fifteenth, is not material ; hut as the inte- 
rs? and ir-;i: :".-.. -: h' J: v' duals- sxcept in a few anorua- 



m RELIGION, VIRTUE, AND LEARNING?. 

long cases— are to observe the laws, we clearly on & i „jt 
require stronger testimony to establish their guilt than in- 
nocence. 

Be merry and wise. 

Buffoonery and scurrility are the corruption of wit, as 

knavery is of wisdom. 
Bought wit is best but may cost too much. 
Believe only half of what you hear of a man's wealth and 

goodness. — Spanish. 
Blushing is virtue's colour. 

C. 
Cheer up, God is where he was. 
Common fame i3 seldom to blame. 
Constant occupation prevents temptation. — Italian, 
Courage ought to have eyes as well as arms. 
Common sense is the growth of ail countries. 
Confession without repentance, friends without faith, 

prayer without sincerity, are mere loss.— -Italian. 
Content is the philosopher's stone, that turns all it touches 

into gold. 

" If ever I more riches did desire 

Than cleanliness and quiet do require ; 

If e'er ambition did my fancy cheat, 

With any wish so mean as to be great ; 

Continue, Heaven, still from me to remove 

The humble blessings of the life I love."— Cowley. 

" Is happiness your point in view, 

(I mean the intrinsic and the true,) 

She nor in camps nor courts resides ; 

Nor in the humble cottage hides : 

Yet form'd alike in every sphere, 

Who finds Content, will find her there/''— Gay. 

Criminals are punished that others may be amended.—- 

D. 
Death Ms nothing terrible in it but what life has made so. 
Dissembled holiness is double iniquity. 
Do not trust ner contend, nor borrow nor lend, and you 

will live in quiet. — Spanish. 
Disputations leave truth in the middle, and party at both 

ends. 
Do not give a bribe, nor lose your ri*ht,---Spani*h- t 

- 



fcELIGION, VIRTUE, AND LEARNING. 71 

Do not do evil to get good by it, which never yet happen- 
ed to any. 

Do you know what charity is : forgive if you bear ill- 
will, and pay what you owe.— Spanish 

Do what thou ought, come what can. — French, 

Do weel an' doubt aa man ; do ill, and doubt a' men.^« 
Scotch. 

Drunkenness is nothing else but voluntary madness. 

Drunkenness is an eg°; from which all vices are hatched. 

Drunkenness turns a man out of himself, and leaves a 
beast in his room. 

Drunkenness is a pair of spectacles, to see the devil and 
all his works. 

Dying is as natural a3 living. 

E. 

Education begins, a gentleman, conversation completes 
him. 

Education polishes good natures, and corrects bad ones, 

Evil gotten, evil spent. 
Lett. — Male parta, maledilabuntur. 

Every one's censure is first moulded in his own nature. 

Enjoy your little while the fool seeks for more.— -Spanish, 

Evil communications corrupt good manners. 

A very common exercise this of our school-pens, but a very 
ancient adage. It is quoted by St. Paul, and is found in a 
fragment of Menander, the comic poet. It is uncertain whe- 
ther St. Paul quotes the Grecian poet, or only repeats some 
popular saying of his time. 

Every vice fights against nature. 

Envy shoots at others and wounds herself. 

Experience is the mother of science. 
Spanish. — La experencia es madre de la sciencia. 

Example teaches more than precept. \ 

Experience without learning does more good than learn- 
ing without experience. 

Experience teaches fools, and he is a great one that jvill 
not learn by it. 

Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will leam in Hf> 
Other. 



RELIGION; VIRTUE, AND LEARNING 



Fame is a mgnifying glass. 

Faults of ignorance are excusable, only where the- igno- 
rance itself is so. 

Follow not Truth too near the heels, least she dash out 
your teeth. 

Follow the wise few, rather than the vulgar many Italian, 

Folly is the poverty of the mind. 

Folly is never long pleased with itself. 

Forget ©tilers' faults by remembering your own. 

For ill do well, then fear not hell. 

Fool* lade out the water and wise men take the fish. 

From prudence, peace ;from peace, abundance. — Italian, 

Friend's help is not to be bought at a fair. 

Frost and fraud both end in foul. 

G. 

God made us and we wonder at it. — Soanisli. 

i' 

Why should we wonder at the work of aw Almighty Power. 
however great and incomprehensible ? It is applied to 
sceptics, who cannot comprehend the mystery .of their 
own creation. 

Guilt is always jealqus. 

Government of the wiil is better than increase of know- 
ledge. 
Good preachers give fruits and not flowers. — Italian. 
Good actions are the best sacrifice. 
Great men's vices are accounted sacred. 
Great minds are easy in prosperity and quiet in adversity. 

H. 

Happy is the child whose father went to the devil. 
The ill fate of the father is supposed to be a warning to the 
child. Hence this other proverb. 

" The father to the bough, the son' to the plough^ 
It is, however, an exception rather than a rule, and it is far 
more natural that children should follow the example of 
their parents. If they do diverge from the parental type, i 
can only be in those rare instances when the difference in 
ffie natural propensities is so great as to surmount the al- 
most omnipotent power of first impressions. As a general 
principle, the common couplet seems less exceptionable; 
" ; Tis Eckication forms the youthful mind ; 
And as the twig is Bent, the tree's inclined." 



RELIGION, VIRTUE, AND LEARNING, 

He that is drunk is gone from home. 

He dies like a beast who has done no good while he lived 

He. who has no shame has no conscience — Spanish. 

He is the best gentleman who is the son of his own deserts. 

He that shows his passion tells his enemy where he may 

hit him. 
He who avoids the temptation avoids the sin. — Spanish. 
He that knows useful things, and not he that knows many 

things, is the wise man. 
He keeps his road well enough who gets rid of bad com- 
pany. 
He that will not be counselled cannot be helped. 
He who resolves to amend has God on his side. 
He is handsome- that handsome doth.— Spanish. 
He that kills a man when he is drunk, must be hanged 

when he is sober. 
He's a puddled stream from a pure sping. 
He that swells in prosperity will shrink in adversity. 
He preaches well who lives well. 

Spanish?*- -Bien predica quien bien vive. 
He that goes to church with an ill intention, goes to God's 

house on the devil's errand. — Spanish. 
He that gives to a grateful man puts out to usury. 
He distrusts his own faith who often swears. — Italian. 
He eats the calf in the cow's belly. — Scotch. 

Applied to those who spend their money before it is earned 
Hell is paved with good intentions. 
Hell is crowded with ungrateful wretches. 
Hell is full, of good meanings, but heaven is full of good 

works. 
Hide nothing from thy minister, physician, nor lawyer.— 

Italian. 
Honesty is nae pride. — Scotch. 

Honest men are soon bound, but you cannot bind a knave 
How can you think yourself the wiser for pleasing fool?. 
His ciothes are worth an hundred pounds, but his wit is 

dear at a groat. 
Humility gains often more than pride.— Italian. 
Hypocrisy is a sort of homage that vice pays to virtue. 
Hypocrites are a sort of creature that God never made. 
she Spaniards, in their comic way, say 7 u It is better to eat 

grass and thistles, than to have a hood over the face " 



; * RELIGION, VIRTUE, AND LElftKIiVG. 

I. 

li the best man's faults were written on his forehead, it 
would make him pull his hat over his eyes. — Gaelic, 

If every one would mend one, all Would be mended. 

Ignorance 13 a voluntary misfortune. 

If the brain sows not corn it plants thistles. 

It is altogether in vain to learn wisdom and vet live foolish- 
ly. 

If they say you are good, ask yourself if it be true.— 
Spanish. 

I know no difference between buried treasure and conceal- 
ed knowledge. — Italian. 

It is a base thing to betray a man because he trusted you* 

It is pride and not nature that craves much. 

It is good to hear mass and keep house. — Spanish. 

Spoken of those who, under pretence of attending the service 
of religion, neglect their domestic duties. 

Ignorance is the mother ol devotion. 

In conclusion, serve God and do no ill. — Spanish. 

A beautifully short sermon, and admirable abridgment of re- 
ligion and morality. It is worthy the attention of those 
long-winded preachers, who bewilder their hearers with 
unintelligible annotations on points of faith, and drowsy 
exhortations to moral duties. Do no ill, but ail the good 
you can, is the perfection of human conduct, and it would 
perhaps be as well for society if this sentiment were en- 
graven on our public buildings, or simply repeated to the 
people, in room of a great deal of the extemporaneous rant 
and stolen goods with which thev* are now wearied and 
perplexed. St. John is said to have indulged in a shorter 
sermon than the proverb : when old and infirm, he simply 
exhorted his hearers to " Love one another," which is both 
a summary of divinity and social duties. 

It is always term time in the court of conscience. 

It is human to err, but diabolical to perserve. 

It cdsts more to revenue injuries than to bear them. 

It's better to sit wi ; h a wise man in prison than a fool iu 

paradise. — R ussian . 
It has been the misfortune of many to live too long. 
They have outlived their reputation, or done things in the 

latter period of their lives unworthy the commencement 

of their career. 
It 13 self-conceit, that makes opinion obstinate. 



BELIGIOX, VIRTUE, AND LEARNING. 75 

I will not change my cot age in possession for a palace in 

reversion. 
ft is as great cruelty to spare all as to spare none. 

J. 

Jest not with the eye, nor religion. 

Job was not so miserable in his sufferings as happy in his 
patience. 

K, 

Keep out of brawls, and you will neither be a pricipal 
nor a witness. — Spa r 

Knaves imagine nothing can be done without knavery. 

Knavery may serve a turn, but honesty is best at long run. 

Honesty is certainly, the best of policy. Though there may 
be sometim s an apparent advantage in taking a s'fcortfr 
cut, we always find, in the long run, that fair and upright 
dealings are the nearest and surest way to wealth and 
happiness. Detected knavery is, undoubtedly, the gieatest 
of all foolery. While a man pursues an honourable course 
all the. world is on his side ; when he adopts an insidious, 
dishonest one, the laws and all the feelings of society are 
against him. Who can doubt then which is the best line 
to choose, merely as a matter of prudence. Sir. Hume, 
indeed, questioned the truth of the old adage ; but David 
had puzzled himself with subtle refinements, in which he 
lost all perception of the boundaries between truth and 
error. We have a higher authority than Mr. Hume on 
this point ; for he was much better acquainted with the 
rid. Junis, in private note to Woodfall, says, " After 
Jong experience in the world, I affirm, before God, I never 
knew a rogue who was not unhappv." — WoodfaWs Junius. 
vol. i. p. 237. 

Knowledge is silver among the poor, gold among the no- 
bles, and a jewel among princes. — Italian. 

Knowledge directs practice, yet practice increases knowl- 
edge. 

Kno^ ledge is no burden. \ 

Knowledge in every state is a grand treasure. ' 

Jlnl.— Scienza in cgni stato e un grande tesoro. 

Knowledge without practice makes but half an artist. 



Learning is worse lodged in him. than Jove was in a 

i 



76 RELIGION, VIRTUE, AND LEARNING 

Learning is a sceptre to some, a bauble to others. 
Learn wisdom by the follies of others. — Italian. 
Let another's shipwreck be your sea-mark. 
Lordly vices require lordly estates. 
Life is half spent before we know what it is. 

JVI. 
Make the night night, and the day day, and you will live 

happily. — Spanish 
Man proposes, but God disposes. — Scotch. 
Many that are wits in jest are fools in earnest. 
Mean men admire wealth, great men glory. 
Men's years and their faults are always more than they 

are willing to own. 
Men fear death as children to go into the dark. 
Mortal man must not keep up immortal anger. 
More wisdom and less religion. — Ital. 
Most men employ their first years, so as to make the last 

miserable. 
Most things have two handles ; and a wise man takes hold 

of the best. 
More a man knows the less he believes. 
^ItaL- — Chi piu sa, meno crede, 
N„ 
Nature teaches us to love our friends, religion our enemies. 
Necessity hath no law. 
Neither praise nor dispraise thyself, thine actions serve 

the turn. 
Never be weary of well-doing. 
No matter what religion a knave or a fool is of. 
No religion but can boast of its martyrs. 
No rogue like the godly rouge. 
No mother is so wicked but desires to have good children, 

— Italian. 
Not God above gets all men's love. - 
N4 tyrant can take from you your knowledge. 

O. 

Obscene words must have a deaf ear. 

Of two evils the leases to be chosen. 

Oftentimes, to please fools, wise men err. 

£)\& men go to death, but death comes to young men., 



RELIGION; VIRTUE, AND -LEARNING. 77 

Qae may discern an ass in a lion's skin without spectacles, 

Only that which is honestly got, is gain. 

One ill word asketh another. 

One ill example spoils many good precept. 

Our flatterers are our most dangerous enemies, yet often be 

in our bosoms. 
Our virtues would be proud, if our vices whipped them 

not. 

P. 

Parnassus has no gold mines in it. 

Ot •■■->• tl Goldsmith, and others o f the Old School 
certainly did not find any ; but some of our modern poets 
have been more fortunate, and discovered vary rich veins 
there ! 

Passionate men, like fleet hounds, overrun the scent, 

Patience is a plaster for all sores. 

Pen and ink are wit's plough. 

Pleasures, while, they flatter, sting to death. 

Point not at other's spots with a foul finder. 

Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock ef the 
night. 

Prevention is better than cure. 



Quick believers need broad shoulders. 

Reason governs the wise man, and cudgels the fool 

Repent a ^ood action if you can. - 

Pceligion and language we suck in with our milk. 

Reckless youth makes rueful age. — Scotch. 

Respect and contempt spoil the world. — Italian, 

Religious ontention is the devil's harvest. 

French. Pendant que les chiens s'entregrondent, Isloup 
devore la brebis. \ 

Reynard is still Reynard, though he put on a snrpEce. 

We have several proverbs to the same put port, as " What is 
bred in the hone can never be out of tne flesh ;" " A young 
saint, an old saint ; a young devil an old devil/ 7 They seem 
to have arisen from the general observance, that" age is 
hut. a peaty of youth, that youth is only age in miniature. 



78 RELIGION, VIRTUE, AND LEARNING. 

To a considerable extent this is correct : for though educa- 
tion may do much to form our tempers and opinions, we 
should be mistaken did we think it had power to eradicate 
the fundamental dispositions of our nature. Mr. Owen 
thinks .otherwise ; but the old sayings : , which comprise 
centuries of experience, do not corroborate his princi- 
ples. Nature may be modified, but not subdued. It will 
always show itself: like iEsop's damsel turned ftom a cat 
into a woman ; who sat demurely at table till a mouse hap- 
pened to cross the room. The story of Socrates is against 
this reasoning ; but many of the ancient philosophers were 
only remarkable for pride and affectation, and any examples 
from them are of no great authority. 

Revenge in eoid blood is the devils own act and deed. 

Roinn virtue it was that raised the Roman glory. 

Rule lust, temper the tongue, and bridle the belly. 

s. 

Seamen are the nearest to death, and farthest from God. 
Seek not to reform every one's dial, by your own watch. 
Self-exaltionis the fool's paradise. 
Speak the truth and shame the devil. 
Show me a liar and I'll show you a theif. 

French.— La mentir est le premier de tous les maux. 
Some are atheists only in fair weather. 
So the miracle be wrought, what matter if the devil did it. 
Sin is sin, wether it be seen or no. 
Scandal will rub out like dirt when it is dry. 
Short pleasure, long lament. 

Slanderers are the devil's bellows to blow up contention. 
Small faults indulged, are little thieves that let in greater. 
Steal a pig and give the trotters for God's sake. 

Spanish.— HurtM el puerco y dar los pies Dios, 
Solitude makes us love our selves; conversation others. 
Solitude dulls the thought ; too much society dissipates it. 
Superstition renders a man a fool, and scepticism makes 

him mad. 

T, 
Take away fuel, take away flame. 
Remove the tale-bearer and contention ceaseth. 
That which was bitter to endure may be sweet to remem* 



RELIGION, VIRTUE, AND LEARNING. 79 

['he most penitent anchorite has now and then a flight of 
vanity. 

The best mode of instruction is to practise what we teach, 

The reward of unlawful pleasure is lawful pain. 

The usefullest truths are the easiest comprehended. 

The theif is sorry he is to be hanged,but not that he is a 
thief. 

The sting of a reproach is the truth of it. 

The conquered is rarely called wise, or the conqueror 
rash. 

The truest jests sound worst in guilty ears. 

The chamber of sickness is the chapel of devotion. 

The evening crowns the day. 
Italian. — Un bel morire tutta la vita honora. 

The best horse needs breaking, and the aptest child needs 
teaching. 

The gown's her's that wears it and the world's his who en- 
joys it. 

The devil is a busy bishop in his own diocese. 

There is a devil in every berry of the grape. — Turkish, 

The devil is the monkey of God. — Italian. 

The devil is the perfectest courtier. 

The Muses love the morning. 

The nature of things will not be altered by our fancies oi 
them. 

The remedy for injuries, is not to remember them. — Ital. 

The credit that is got by a lie only last till the truth comes 
out. 

The church is out of temper , when charity waxes cold 
and zeal hot. 

The drunkard continually assaults his own life. 

The best remedy against an ill man is much ground be- 
tween both. — Spanish. 

The pen of the tongue should be dipped in the ink of the 
heart.— Italian. V 

The poet, of all sorts of artificers is the fondest of histworlk. 

The first chapter of fools, is to esteem themselves wise. 

The king goes as far as he can, and not as far as he will. : i 
Spanish. 

Mr. D'Israeli thinks this ancient saying implies in the Span- 
iarris a sort of " Whiggish jealousy of the monarchical 
power," but the more natural interpretation appears to he 



80 RELIGION, VIRTUE, AND LEARNING. 

that it shows the necessity of controlling our inclinations. 

as even the enjoyments of a king are limited. 
The longest life is but a parcel of moments, 
The wise man knows the fool, but the fool doth not know 

the wise man. — Eastern. 
The sickness of the body may prove the health of the soul. 
The cross on the breast, and the devil in actions. — Spanish, 
' The wicked even hate vice in others. 

Ital. — II viti altrui displace alii stessi vitiosi. 

The Spaniards say, " A bad mother wishes good children/*' 
There cannot be a nobler tribute to virtue than the homage 
of the wicked, who secretely admire her precepts, though 
the violence of their passions prevents their , adopting 
them in practice. 

The world would finish were all men learned. 

Th© best way to see divine light, is to put out thine own 
candle. 

The hermit thinks the sun shines nowhere but in his cell. 

The wrath of brothers is the wrath of devils. — ^Spanish. 

The offender never pardons. — Italian. 

The timid and weak are the most revengeful and impla- 
cable. 

The loquacity of fools is a lecture to the wise. 

The example of good men is visible philosophy. 

The fool is busy in every one's business but his own 

The good paliate a bad action. 
lial. — La buona intenzione scusa'el mal fat to. 

The follies of youth are food for repentance in old age. 

The devil entangles youth with beauty, the miser with 
gold, the ambitious with power, the learned by false 
doctrine. 

The first degree of folly is to think one's self wise ; the next 
to tell others so ; the third to despise all counsel. 

The devil goes shares in gaming. 

There are as many serious follies as light ones. 

The 'greatest learning is to be seen in the greatest plain- 
ness . ■ 

The most lasting monuments are, doubtless, the paper 
monuments. 

The noblest remedy of injuries is oblivion. 

There is no honour where there is no shame.— Italian* 

Tkey ought not to do evil that good may come. 



RELIGION, VIRTUE, AND LEARNING. 81 

There is no medicine against death. — Italian. 

To read and not to understand, is to pursue and not to 

take. — Italian. 
To err is human, to persist in it beastly. — Spanish. 
Too much fear is an enemy to good deliberation. 
Truth refines but does not obscure. 

Spanish. — La verdad adelgazo pero no quiebra. 
Truth may be blamed, but it can never be shamed. 
Truth hath always a fast bottom. — Gaelic. 
Truths and roses have thorns about them. 
Truth may languish but can never perish* — Italian, 
Truth is the daughter of time. 

Ital.—ha. verita e figlia del tempo. 
Truths too fine spun, are subtle fooleries. 
To give is honour, to ask is grief. — Spanish. 

A proud but generous sentiment 
To a bad character, good doctrine avails nothing — Italian* 

u. v. 

Unkindness has no remedy at law. 

Vain glory blossoms, but never bears. 

Vice is it's own punishment, and sometimes its own cure. 

Vows made in storms are forgotten in calms. 

W. 

Wealth breeds a pleurisy, ambition a fever, liberty a ver* 

tigo, and poverty is a dead palsy. — Gaelic. 
We talk, but God doeth what he pleases. 
We <iay give advice, but we cannot give conduct, 
We have all forgotten more than we remember. 
Well to judge depends on well to hear. — Italian. 
The French say, " A foolish judge makes a short sentence,^ 
What the eye sees not, the heart rues not. 
What maintains one vice would bring up two children! 
What soberness conceals drunkenness reveals. j 

Lot. — Quod est in corde sobrii est in ore ebrii. 
When you are angry, remember that you may be calm 

and when you are calm remember that you may be 

angry. — Spanish. 
When honour grew mercenary money grew honouiable 
Who thinks to deceive God, deceives himself. — fialian? 



£2 RELIGION, VIRTUE; 4lND LEARNING. 

Woe to those preachers who listen not to themselves. 

Who is wicked in the country will be wicked in the town. 

Who thinks often of death, does things worthy of life.— 
Italian. 

Who teaches often learns himself. — Italian. 

Where content is, there is a feast. 

Who is not used to lie thinks every «ne speaks the truth. 
— Italian. 

Who draws others into ill courses is the devil's agent. 

Who thinks every day to die can never perish. — Italian 

Worth begets in base minds envy ; in great souls emu- 
lation. 

Who has one foot in a brothel, has the other in the hospi- 
tal. — Italian. 

Where reason rules appetite obeys. 

Where honour ceases, knowledge decreases. 

Lai. — Honos alit artes. 

Who preaches war is the devil's chaplain. 

Whoring and bauderie do often end in beggary. 

Who is bad to his own is bad to himself. — Italian. 

When you would be revenged on your enemy, lire as 
you ought, and you have done it to some purpose ! 

Who follow not virtue in youth, cannot fly sin in old age. 
—Ital. 

Worth hath been underated ever since wealth was over* 
valued. 

Who pardons the bad injures the good. — Italian. 

Who perishes in needless danger is the devil's martyr. 

Whoredom and grace dwelt ne'er in one place. — Scotch. 

When you have no observers be afraid of yourself. 

W T hen a proud man hears another praised, he thinks him- 
self injured. 

W 7 hen passion enters at the foregate, wisdom goes out at 
the postern. 

Wise- men have their mouth in their heart, fools their 
heart in their mouth. 

"Wisdom without innocence, is knavery ; innocence with- 
out wisdom, is folly. 

Wisdom don't always speak in Greek and Latin. 

Wise men learn by others' harm, fools by their own. 

Wise men care not for what they cannot have. 

Who ever suffered for oot speaking ill of other? f 



RELIGION, VIRTUE, AND LEARNING. 83 

Wicked men, like madmen, have sometimes their lucid 

intervals. 
"Where the heart is past hope, the face is pa?t shame, 

U. 

Unkindness has no remedy at law. 

y. 

Years know more than books. 

You would do little for God if the devil were dead, — - 
Scotch. 

You make a great purchase when you relieve the neces- 
sitous. 

You plead after sentence given. 

You should ask the world's leave before you commend 
yourself. 

You will never repent of being patient and sober. 

You may break a colt but not an old horse. 

You will never have a friend, if you must have one with- 
out failings. 

Your father's honour to you is but a second-hand honour, 

Youth and white paper take any impression. 

Z. 

Zeal, without knowledge, is like fire without light. 



LAWS, GOVERNMENT, AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, 



A. 

A prince wants a million, a beggar but a groat* 

An ass that carries a load is better than a lion that devours 

men. ^ 

An illiterate king is a crowned ass. 
Iial.—l\ Tenon letterato e un asino incoronato. 
A king is never powerful that has not power on the sea.— 

Ital. 
A king promises, but observes only what be pleases. 
Ital. — Un prince promette, ma non osserva se non cio che gli 
npje, 



84 LAWS, GOVERNMENT, AND 

A& ill man in office is a public calamity. 

A true English nan knows not when a thing is well. 

Who knows but it is to the grumbling spirit of our country 
men that Englaud owes her superiority toother nations 
Thank God, we have not the phlegm of the Germans, to 
whom, if they only saj r " Eat straw," they eat straw. 

Antiquity cannot privilege an error, nor novelty preju- 
dice a truth. 

A deceitful peace is more hurtful than open war. 

Iial.-~ Noce phi la pace simulata, che laguerra aperta 

Antiquity is noi always a mark of verity. 

A king's favour is no inheritance. 

A fox should not be on the jury at a goose's trial, 

B. 

Beggars fear no rebellion. 
Be you never so high the law is above you* 
Better a lean peace than a fat victory. 
By wisdom peace, by peace plenty. 

From the anger of a lord, and from a mutiny of the peo- 
ple God deliver us. — Spanish. 
For sovereign power all laws are broken. — Spanish. 

G. 

Good laws often proceed from bad manners. 
lial. — Le boune leggi spesso nascono da cattivi costumi. 
Good kings never make war, but for sake of peace. 
Good men are a public good, 

H. 

He whose father is alcade goes to trial witk confidence. 
Spanish. — Quien padre tiene alcalde, seguro va ajuicio. 
He that puts on a public gown, must put off the private 

person. 
11^ that England would win, 
Must with Ireland first begin. 

In time of war Ireland is of the first importance to this coun- 
try, furnishing her with a number of able bodied men, both 
soldiers and sailors, and likewise beef, pork, butter, and 
other provisions for victualing her fleets and garrisons ; if 
iiese supplies were cut off*, by Ireland being in the hands of 
in emmy } it 'r^-H be extremly detriment^ 



FUBLHJ AFFAIRS, 

He is half a king who has the king's good graces— /to/, 

lie who gives to the public gives to no one. 

Spanish. — Quien hace por comun, hace por ningun. 

Hospitality to the exile, and broken bones to the oppre=~ 
sor. — Gaelic. 

A noble sentiment, worthy to be engraven on the banners of 
England, and form the basis of her foreign and domestic 
policy. We have greatly degenerated from the viitues of 
our remote progenitors. The ancient Gael, even in their 
fastnesses and mount ins, were more generous than their 
descendants in all their opulence and grandeur. They had 
no Alien Bills — no midnight arrest- --no espionage to fright 
the stranger from the shores, or render his abode there pre- 
carious. They did not unite with oppressors, or by a sus- 
picious neutrality, countenance their injustice ; they threw 
open their doors to the exile, and broke the bones of the op- 
pressor. The sentiment is so magnanious, it sems worth 
preserving in the original Gaelic ; 

'* Fialachd dh' an f hogarrach, 's enamhan brist dh'an eacor- 
a c h. ; ' 

He that serves the public obliges nobody.— Italian. 

He that buys magistracy must sell justice. 

Human laws reach not thoughts. 

In settling an island, the first building erected by a Span- 
iard will be a church ; by a Frenchman, a fort ; by a 
Dutchman, a warehouse,; and by an Englishman, an 
Alehouse. 

li is the justice's clerk that makes the justice, 

It were better to hear the lark sing, than the mouse cheep, 

A border proverb of the Douglases ; to express, as Sir Walter 
Scott observes, what Bruce had pointed out, that the woods 
and hills of their country were their safest bulwarks, in- 
stead of the fortified places which the English surpassed 
their neighbours in the art of assaulting and defending. 

Justice will not condemn, even the devil wrongfully. 

K. 

King's chaff is worth other men s corn. — Scotc/i. \ 

The perquisities that attend kings are better than the wages 
of other persons. 

Kings and bears oft worry their keepers. 
Kings have long arms, and have many eyes and ears.- 
Italian. 

■ have no power over souls 



86 LAVVS ; GOVERNMENT, AND 

L. 

Laws catch flies, but let hornets go free. 

Law makers should not be law breakers. — Scotch, 

Law governs man, and reason the law. 

Law cannot persuade where it cannot punish. 

Law is costly, take a part and agree. — Scotch. 

Like the judges of Gallicia, who, for half a dozen chick-* 
ens, will dispense with a dozen penal statutes. — Spanish*- 

A similar dole is said to have been formerly very efficacious 
with our country justices of the peace. Another Spanish 
proverb says, " To the judges of Gallicia go with feet in 
hand/' alluding to a present of poultry, usually held by the 
legs. 

M. 

Might overcomes right. 

Money is an abridgement of human power. 

Italian. — II danaro e un compendio del potere humano. 

Much disorder brings with it much order, — Spanish. 

Much law but little justice. 

Where there is much law. there must be much uncertainty, 
and uncertainty in the laws must be productive of litigation, 
which itself is a cause of great suffering and injustice to 
those possesed of little property. 

N. 

New lords, new laws 
No money, no Swiss. 

Alluding to the base and selfish policy of the cantonal and 
federal governments of Switzerland, who sold their citizens 
to shed their blood in the wars of other nations. 

o. 

Oppression causes rebellion. 

Of all wars, peace ought to be the end. — Pax qumrihir 

belli 
Oppression will make a wise man mad. — Scotch* 

P. 

Possession is eleven points of the law, and they say there 

are but twelve. 
Popular opinion h the greatest lie in the world, 




PUBLIC AFFAIRS. V7 

This is in the wrong tense ; it ought to have been in the past, 
not in the present time. Popular opinion is not now a 
thing to be despised, though, prior to the more general dif- 
fusion of letters, it was little better than popular delusion. 
What, indeed, was the opinion of the educated cX&sses worth 
two centuries ago, upon any question of moral, government, 
or natural philosophy 1 What did they know of any branch 
of physical science, of political economy, penal law, or the 
principles, of government? They had no books, and if they 
had, they could not have read them. Many of the Peers, in 
the reign of Henry VIII. did not know how to read and 
could only sign their names with that almost forffotton sym- 
bol a — X, which the most illiterate classes would now be 
ashamed of employing. Books upon hobgoblins, witches, 
omens, and incantations, formed the literature cf the age, 
and, of course, the more of this sort of knowledge any one 
possesed, the more stupid and mischievous he became. 
James 1. was esteemed wise in his generation ; he was the 
Solomon of his time, and his superior wisdom consisted in 
burning and tormenting those who differed from him on the 
nature of the Divine essence. Judge Hale is a well-known 
instance of the vandalism of the upper-classes ; to a recent 
period thi3 luminary of the law could not define simple lar- 
ceny but understood the nature of witchcraft, and publicly 
condemned men for this imaginary offence, amidst the ap- 
plause of his no less enlightened contemporaries ! Popular 
opinion was a "great lie" when Galileo was prosecuted for 
explaning the true nature of the earth's motion , but the 
times have widely changed The invention of printing, and 
consequent spread of knowledge, have dispersed the cloud 
with which all ranks were enveloped : and the voxpojndi 
may be now considered the barometer of Truth. 

Peace would be general in the world, if there were nei- 
f- o nor thine 

Itai — Gran pace sarrebbe in terra, se non vi fosse il mio, e il 
tuo. 

R. 

Rewards and punishments are the basis of good govern- 
ment. ^ 
Ital. — Pena e premio son l'animadel buon governo. 
Rigidjustice is the greatest injustice. 

This seems paradoxical. It doubtless means that to execute 
the laws strictly to the letter, without regard to those cir- 
cumstances of alleviation, which occasionly attend the com- 
mision of crimes, would be unjust. For example, when 



r' 



y® 1 



i* 



&8 LAWS ; GOVERNMENT, AND 

theft is committed merely to obtain means of subsistence^ 
or murder after suffering- a greivous provocation, for which 
there is no redress : then it seems fair the execution, if not 
the sentence, of the law should be mitigated. The English 
penal nod.- has, in several instances, provided a different 
punishment for the same offence, owing to the circumstan- 
ces under which it was committed, as in the different cases 
of homicide. But it was impossible to foresee all the shades 
of difference, which tend to soften or aggravate the atrocity 
of crimes, and, in consequence, considerable discretion is 
left in the execution of the laws to the judge or cheif ma- 
gistrate. This does not alter the fundamental principle of 
jurisprudence, that the law should be the same for all ; it 
only modifies the execution, not the sentence of the law. It 
makes no dtstinction4>etwe.en the rich and the poor ; for if a 
gentleman commits a felon's offence, he receives a felon's 
punishment, without regard to his embroidered coat ov 
Jong purse. 

s. 

Soldiers in peace are like chimnies in summer. 

Such is the government, such are the people. — Italian. 

T. 

The blood of the soldier makes the glory of the general. 

Jtal. — II sangue del soldato fa grande il capitano. 

The people murder one another, and princes embrace one 

another. — Italian. 
The soldier is well paid for doing mischief: 
Ital. — II soldato per far male e ben pagato. 
Tie king's cheese goes half awav in parings. 
That war is only jusl which is necessary. 
The king may give honour, but thou art to make thysel£ 

hono rable. 
The multitude of offenders is their protection. 
The subject's love is the king's life guard. 
The fear of war is worse than war itself. 
jtal. — Peggio e la paura della guerra, che la guerra istessa. 
The guilty man fears the law, the innocent man fortune. 
The greater the man, the greater the crime. 
The word of a king ought to be binding, a9 the oath of & 

subj ect . — Italian . 
The more laws, the more offewderp 



W: 



PUBLIC AFFAIRS. 89 

The worst of law is, that one suit breeds twenty, 

The laws go as kings please. 

£]7anish. — Alia van leyes, donde quieren reyes. 

The kmg may bestow office?, but cannot bestow wit to 

manage them. 
The treason is loved, but the traitor is hated. — Italian. 
A setiment often repeated by Julius Caesar, of which proba- 
bly he was ths author Shakspeare has forcibly expressed 
the feelings of one who had been deceived. 

u Thou cold-blooded slave. 

Hast thou not spoke like thunder on my side ? 

Been sworn my soldier ? bidding me depend 

Upon thy stars, thy fortune, and thy strength ? 

And dostthou now fall over my foes ? 

Thou wear st a lion's hide ! doff it,, for shame ; 

And hang a calf-skin on those recreant limbs 1" 
Traitors, false friends. and apostates, maybe all included un= 

der the same anathema. 
The mob has man) heads but no brains. 
The magistrate's son escapes from every thing. — Spanish. 

41 Greatmen," says Mr. Collins, " too often commit all sorts 
of villany with impunity." Not in England we p'vsume. 
It is long since the aristocracy of this country lost the pri- 
vilege to levy contributions to rob and murder, with impu* 
nity. Thank God, the highest person in the kingdom (ex- 
cept the King, who the bishops, say, can do no wrong), 
cannot raise a finger against the lowest, without being^a- 
menable to the laws. The case is different in Ireland, if 
Mr. Wakefield be correct , but that has long been a " spot 
accursed." out of the pale of the law and justice too 

Their power and their will are the measures princes take 
of right and wrong. 

The larger states are, the more they are subject to revo- 
lutions. — Italian, 

The trial is not fair, where affection is judge. 

Trade and commerce are universal cheating by genera! 
consent. 

To keep a custom you hammer the anvil still though you 
have no iron. 

w. 

War makes thieves and peace hangs them. — Ital — French, 
War is death's feast. 
The Italians say> " When war begins, hell opens " 



M LAWS, GOVERNMENT, &c> 

War with the world and peace with England.-— Spanish, 

It is uncertain whether this historical proverb be the result of * 
the splendid folly of the Spanish armada ; but England must 
always have" been a desirable ally to Spain, against her 
powerful neighbour. Such is the natural policy of Spain ; 
but how the wisdom of the foregoing maxim has been sac- 
rificed under the sway of her late sovereigns 1 

Wars brings scars. 

War, hunting, and love, have a thousand pains for one 
pleasure. 

Spanish. — Guerra, caza, yamores, por un placer mil do- 
lores. 
We may see a prince but not search him. 
What a great deal of good great men might do ! 
What Christ takes not, the exchequer carries away. — 

Spanish. 
A striking picture of national suffering, under the double 

evils of a rapacious church and oppressive taxation, 
Where there are many laws, there are many enormities. 
Where drums beat, laws are silent. 
Who draws the sword against his prince, must throw a- 

way the scabbard. 
Who knows not how to dissemble, knows not how to 

reign. 

Ital. — Chi non sa dissimulare, non sa regnare. 
A favourite maxim of Tiberius, the Roman emperor, and of 

Louis XIII. of France. 
Who serves at court, dies on straw. — Italian. 

Alluding to the uncertainty of royal favour. It cannot of 
course, apply to England, where it is well known the sun- 
shine of the court is the most sure means of providing 
for a comfortable old age ! 

Who eats of the king's goose will void a feather for forty 
years after. — French. 

With the king and the Inquisition, hush ! — Spanish. 

Tli! 1 . gTavity and taciturnity of the Spaniards have been as- 
cribed to this proverb. It is descriptive of the state of the 
people when the popular spirt was subdued, and every one 
dreaded to find a spy under his roof. 

Wise and good men invented the laws, but the fools and 
the wicked put them upon it. 

You pretend the public, but mean yourself. 



ECONOMY. MANNERS, AND RICHE- 



A. 

A broad hat does not a, ..ays cover a wise head, 

Ask thy purse what thou shouldst buy. 

A man that keeps riches and enjoys them not, is like an ass 
that carries gold and eats thistles. 

Accusing- the times is but excusing ourselves. 

A _;reat fortune is a great slavery. 

A bird is known by its note, and a man by his talk. 

A fop of fashion is the mercer's friend; the tailor's fool and 
hi? own foe. 

A good presence is letters of recommendation. 

A hog upon trust, srunts till he is paid for. 

A man in debt is stoned every year.— Spanish. 

That is, he is dunned, persecuted, and ultimately harassed to 
death, by the perpetual visitations of his creditors. It is 
a question, worthy tne attention of the Parliament, to as- 
certain how many poor devils in this commercial country 
are annually driven to suicide or to Bedlam from pecuni- 
ary embarrassment. One of the greatest improvements in 
legislation would he to follow the example of America, and 
abolish compulsory process for the recovery of debts. It 
would not only root out a fruitful source of 'litigation and 
inconsiderate speculatiou, but abolish a gross anomaly in 
our -jurisprudence To give the power -of arbitary impri- 

f sonment to a creditor is to identify the prosecutor with 
the judge, and to make a man amenable, not to fixed law.^ 
but'to the passions and caprice of incensed individual?. 

All covet, all lose. 

Argus at home, but a moTe abroad. 

Hal. — In casa argo, di furor talpa. 

A spur in your head is worth two in your heel. 

A mittened cat never was a good hunter, 

A sluggard take? an hundred steps because he would not 
take one in due time. 

Account not that wwk slavery that brings in penny savory 



•3 ECONOMY, MANNERS, AND RICHES*. 

A sillerless man gangs fast through the market. — Scotch* 

As you salute ) T ou will be saluted. — Italian. 

A nod from a lord is a breakfast for a fool. 

A gentleman ought to travel abroad, but to dwell at 

home. 
A rich man's foolish sayings pass for wise ones.- -Spanish* 
A rascal grown rich has lost all his kindred. 
A good word for a bad one, is Vorth much and costs little 

— Italian. 
A man without ceremony had need of great merit in its 

place. 
All saints without, all devils within. 
Alike every day makes a clout on Sunday. — Scotch. 
According to your purse govern your mouth.— -Italian, 
A rolling stone gathers no moss. 
As go , a play for nothing, as work for nothing. 
A fu' purse never lacks friends. — Scotch. 
A covetous man mages a half-penny of a farthing, and & 

liberal man makes sixpence of it. 
Always taking out of a meal-tub, and never putting in* 

soon comes to the bottom. 
A penny spared is twice got. 
An artiot lives every where. 

A Greek proverb, used by Nero, when he was reproached 
with the ardour he gave himself up to the study of music. 
It answers to the Spanish, " A skilful mechanic makes a 
good pilgrim. 77 He will in every place find the means to 
maintain himself; which gives him an advantage over the 
mere gentleman, who might beg, while the artist could live 
by his trade. No class is, in fact more independent than 
mechanics. For this reason Rousseau taught every child 
should be instructed in some trade : and the Germans of 
all ranks, formerly were brought up to some handicraft, so 
that they might be provided against the vicissitudes of for- 
tune. 

All men think their enemies ill men. 

A man m a passion rides a horse that runs away with him. 

All is ftne that is fit. 

An ass is the gravest beast, an owl the gravest bird. 

A civil denial is better than a rude grant. 

A man's folly ought to be his greatest secret. 

An oak is not felled at one stroke. 

A servant is known by his master's absence. 



ECONOMY, MANNERS, AND RICHES. S3 

A shoemaker's wife and a smith's mare are always worst 
shod. 
. The Spaniards say, " In the smith's house the knife is , made 
of wood ;" implying-, that where they have the means and 
opportunity of procuring- the comforts and conveniences of 
life, they are generaly the most wanting. Indeed, it were 
easy to show, that there are many things in the world be- 
side a knife and a horse-shoe, which we do not enjoy, for 
other reasons than the want of opportunity to procure 
them. Man is a very foolish and pereverse creature, and 
Iiis actions influenced (Mr. Bentham's theory notwihstand- 
ing)'by very different considerations than a sober calcula- 
tion of self-interest. 

All is soon ready in an orderly house. 

Anger and haste hinder good counsel. 

A poor man's debt makes a great noise. 

All complain of want of memory, but none of want of judg- 
ment. 

A man without money is a bow without an arrow. 

An o >en countenance, but close thoughts. — Italian. 

Advice given by the elegant Wotton to Milton, prior to the 
young poet commencing his Italian travels. 

An empty belly hears nobody. 

A poor man has not many marks for fortune to shoot at. 

An old dog cannot alter his way of barking. 

An idle brain is the devil's work shop, 

A fool and his money are s©on parted. 

A penny-worth ot mirth is worth a pound of sorrow, 

A young man idle, an old man needy. -Italian. 

At a good bargain pause awhile. 

A little neglect may breed great mischief, 

A fat kitchen makes a lean will. 

Avirice increases with wealth.— Italian. 

A pin a day is a groat a year. — Scotch, 

A stitch in time saves nine. 

A true nobleman would prefer rags to patched clothes.-*- 
Spanish. 

Mr. Collins explains this proverb to mean, '•' than a man of 
honour ought to embrace poverty, rather than be guilty of 
meanness to support his rank in life." This is very good; 
but I should rather interpret the proverb literally, and 
think that a person of spirit and dignity would prefer "the 
hole out to a clout." As a noted wit once observed, one 
is an accident of the day, bu? the other is a certain sisrn of 
helpless and premeditated penurv. 






94 ECONOMY, MANNERS* AND RICHES. 

A wager is a fool's argument. 

A thread-bare coat is armour proof against an highway- 
man. 

A very good or very bad poet is remarkable ; but a mid- 
dling one, who can bear ? 

An affected superiority spoils company. 

A poor squire ought to have his cup of silver, and his ket- 
tle of copper. — Spanish. 

Though they will cost the most at first, they will last the lon- 
ger, and in the end be the cheapest. 

A skilful mechanic is a good pilgrim, — Spanish. 

An empty purse and a new house make a man wise too 
late. — Italian. 

A lean dog gets nothing but fleas. — Spanish. 

Alluding to the unfortunate, who are shunned by their for- 
mer associates and friends. Paupertas fugitur, toto que: 
aixessitur orbe— Lucian. 

An artful fellow is the devil in a doublet. 

As is the Garden, such is the gardener. — Hebrew. 

A «mall leak will sink a great ship. 

A delude of words and a drop of sense. 

A man loses his time that comes early to a bad bargain* 

A wicked book is the worse because it cant repent. 

B. 

Bacchus has drowned more men than Neptune. 

BashfulLess is boyish. 

Better eat gray bread in your youth than-in your age. — 

Scotch. 
Better a clout than the hole out.— Scotch. 
Beuty is potent, but money is ommpot nt 

French.— Amour fait beaucoup, mais argent fait tout. 
Burn notyour honse to tright a ay the mice, 

To subdue a trifling evil do not incur a greater. 
BeggLig of a courtesy is selling of liberty. 
Better wear out shoes than sheets. 

Better give a shilling than lend and loose a half-a-crown. 
Better have one plough going than two cradles. 
Better is the last smile than the first laughter. 
Business to-morrow. 

A Greek proverb, applied to a person ruined by his own ne- 
glect, The fate of an eminent person perpetuated this expres- 
sion, which he casually employed on the occasion, One of 



& 



ECONOMY, MANNERS, AND RICHES. $5 

the Theban polemarchs, in the midst of a convivial party 
received dispatches relating to a conspiracy : flushed with 
wine, although pressed by the courier to open them imme^ 

I diately, he smiled, and in gaiety laying the letter under the 
pillow of his couch, observed, " Business tomorrow ! ,; Piu- 
tarch records that he fell a victim to the twenty-four hours 
he had lost, and became the author of a proverb, which was 
still circulated among the Greeks. 

Better half a loaf than no bread. 

Better spared than ill spent. — Scotch. 

Business is the salt of life. 

Busy folks are always meddling. 

Boys will be men. 

c. 

Care will kill a cat ; yet there is no living without it. 

Conversation teaches more than meditiation. 

Come not to the council uncalled. — Scotch. 

Conceited men think nothing can be done without them. 

Clowns are best in their own company, but gentlemen are 

best every where. 
Crows are never the whiter for washing themselves. 
Contempt is the sharpest reproof. 
Craft, counting all things, brings nothing home, 
Cautious men live drudges to die wretches. 
Count siller after a' your kin.— Scotch. 
A precious safe maxim this, and not a little characteristic of 

the country it comes from. The reader will remark, that 

most of the proverbs relating to saving and economy, are 

of Scottish origin. 

Contempt will sooner kill an injury than revenge. 
Compliments cost nothing, yet many pay dear for them. 
Curse on accounts of relations !— -Spanish. 

They generally expect to be favoured : and if not, there ari- 
ses animosity and ill blood. 

Cure your sore eyes only with your elbow. 

I). 
Dependence is a poor trade. 

Despair has ruined some, but presumption multitudes. 
Do as most do, and fewest will speak evil of thee. 
Do not buy of a huxter, nor be negligent at an inn.— 
Spanish. . 



^^HH^^H 



Sp ENCONOMF, MANNERS, AND RICHER. 

Do not all that you can do ; spend Dot all that you have ; 

believe not all th it you hear ; and tell not all that you 

know. 
Drown not thyself to save a drowning man. 

Do not ruin yourself to save a man, from whose character or 
situation, there is no hope of effectually serving. 
Drinking water neither makes a man sick, nor in debt 

nor his wife a widow. 
Drive thy business ; let not that drive thee. 
Draw not thy bow before thy arrow be fixed. 
Dirt is dirtiest upon clean wMte linen. 
An imputation on a man of spotless character leaves the foul 
est blot.^ 

Do not close a letter without reading', ner drink water 

without seeing it. — Spanish. 
Dumb folks get no lands. 

Too much diffidence, as well as too forward a disposition, may 
impede a man's fortune. 

E. 

Enough is a feast, too much a vanity, 
Every one should sweep before his own door 
Every man is the son of his own work. 
Fvery one must live by his trade. 
French. — II faut que le pretre vive deTautel. 
Every one has a penny to spend at a new alehouse. 
Every man loves justice at another man's house ; nobody 
cares for it at his own. 

We all naturally love fair play among others, and it is only 
when self intervenes, that we become subject to a sinister 
bias. This is a truth that needs no illustration here. V]fe 
have abundant proof of it in the conduct of judges, juries, 
politicians, ministers of religion, and every class ;.. all of 
whom are perfectly honourable men, till some darling in ■ 
lerest, opinion, or connexion, interferes to bias their de- 
cisions. 

Every one thinks he hath niGre than his share of brains. 

Expect nothing from him who promises a great deal. 
F. 

Fancy may bolt bran, and think it flour. 

Father, in reclaiming a ".hi 1,1 -- sho^kl out- wit hin 






ECONOMY, MANNERS, AND RICHES. 97 

For want of a nail the shoe is lost, for want of a shoe the 
horse is lost, for want of a horse the rider is lost. 

Showing how a small neglect sometimes breeds a great mis- 
chief 

Fine dressing, is a fine house swept before the windows. 

For mad words, deaf ears. 

Flattery sits in the parlour, while plain dealing is kicked 
out of doors. 

Forecast is better ths.n work hard. 

Fortune can take nothing from us but what she gave. 

Fortune knocks once at least at every man's door. 

G. 

Good words cost nothing, but are worth much. 

God send us some money, for they are little thought of 
that want it, quoth the Earl of Engleton at Prayer. — - 
Scotch, 

Go not for every grief to the physician, for every quar- 
rel to the lawyer, nor for every thirst to the pot. — Ital, 

God makes and apparel shapes, but money makes the man, 

Lot. — Pecuniae obediunt omina. 

Good bargains are pick-pockets. 

Grieving for misfortunes is adding gall to wormwood .■ 

Grandfather's servants are never good. 

Give neither counsel nor salt till you are asked for it.— 
Italian. 

Give a clown your finger and hell take your whole hand, 

H. 

Have not the cloak to make when it begins to rain. 

Help hands, for I have no lands. 

He who has neither ox nor cow ploughs all night and has 

nothing in the morning. — Spanish. 
He may make a will upon his nail for any thing he has to 

give. 
He who pays well is master of every body's purse. 
He who shares has the worst share. — Spanish. 
He may find fault that cannot mend. — Scotch. 
He who trusts to the landlady at a tavern feels it at home, 

— Spanisfi. 
He who would catch fish must not mind getting wet,— 

Spanish. 



■ 



'93 ECONOMY ; MANNERS, AND RICHES- 

He who stoops much, shows his posteriors, — Spanish. 
He who rises late neither hears mass nor eats meat. — 

Spanish. 
He that, falls in the dirt, the longer he lies the dirtier he is. 
lie is idle that might be better employed. 
He who will stop every man's mouth, must have a great 

deal of meal. 
He who works in the market-place ha9 many teachers. — 

Spanish. 
He that has no silver in his purse, should have silver on 

his tongue. 
He that lives upon hope has but a slender diet. 
He hath swallowed a stake, he cannot bow. 
He knows not a hawk from a handsaw. 
Me that died half a year ago is dead as Adam. 
He is fool enough himself, who will bray against another 

ass. 
He who says what he likes, hears what he does not like. 

- — Spanish. 
He is not wise who is not wige for himself. 
He who would thrive, must follow the church, the sea, or 

the king's service. 
Spanish. — Qnien quiere' raedrar, iglesia, o mar,o casa real. 
He that lends to all who will borrow, shows great good 

will but little wisdom. 
He loves bacon well that licks the sow's breech, 
lie sends to the East Indies for Kentish pipins. 
He that makes himself an ass, must not take it ill if men 

ride him. 
Jle is not drunk for nothing, who pays his reason for his 

reckoning. 
He has ieft his purse in his other breeches. 
He plays well that wins. 

Hoi.vars set off merit, as dress handsome person?. 
He that wears black must hang a brush at his back. 

To clean off the dust, which it shows more than any colour. 
Men, or rather boys and monkeys, are very imitative crea- 
tures. The king, on one occasion, was reported in the 
newspaper to have had on a black stock, and ever since 
black stocks have been worn, a la miiitaire, by. every ap- 
prentice and serving man in the metropolis. As to my- 
self, I think black an odious colour. First, because it is a 
professional cut, with which are associated ideas of cat?* 






M 



ECONOMY, MANNERS, AND RICHES. 99* 

and law, of lawn sleeves, wigs, and gowns, all of which I 
despise. Secondly, it is a grave and melancholy costume. 
It is long since gravity was considered a type of superior 
intellect (a part, by the by, of the " Wisdom of the An- 
cients,") and why should a black coat indicate superior 
holiness, learning, or respectability ? It is clearly a colour 
that tends to excite gloomy ideas (the devil himself being 
black,) and there are, certainly, abundant subjects of 
melancholy in this world without any artificial creations 
that way. My last objection to it is philosophical, and ap- 
plies only to hot weather. Opticians inform us that colours 
are not in bodies themselves, but arise solely from the re- 
flection of the different rays of light Thus, those that 
reflect the red rays, are of a red colour; violet — violet; 
orange — orange : and so on to the end of the chapter. 
From this it follows, that bodies which reflect the gretest 
number, and the hottest rays, are the coolest Now white 
is that colour, for it throws off' all the solar rays, whereas 
black absorbs them all. White then is the coolest and black 
the hottest wear in the summer. Away then with the 
black coats, hats, cravats, beards, and every thing else 
of a sable hue, lor the gay and cheerful white, which in the 
Dog Days at least, is the only comfortable and philosophi- 
cal costume ! 

He hath slept well that remembers not that he hath slept 
ill. 

He had need rise by betimes that would please every body. 

He has riches enough, who needs neither borrow nor flat- 
ter. 

He who has a trade may tra* el every where. — Spanish. 

He who buys by the penny, keeps his own house and other 
men's too. 

He that knows not when to h e silent, knows not when to 
speak. 

He who doth not rise early never does a good day's work. 

He has the Bible in his hand, and the Alcoran in his heart. 

He speaks as if every word would lift a dish. 

He scratches his head with one finger. 

A Greek proverb, applied to persons of effeminate manners. 

He'd skin a lou3e and send the hide and fat to market. — i 
Irish 

He's like a bagpipe ; you never hear him till his belly i3 
full. 

He hath made a good progress in a business^ who hath 
thought well of it beforehand, 



1G0 ECONOMY, MANNERS, AND RICHES, 

He who has an art, has every where a part. 

Ital. — Chi ha arte, per tutto ha parte. 

He is miserable once who feels it, but twice who fears it 

before it comes. — Eastern. 
He that spares when he is young, may spend when he is 

old. 
Pie who promiseth runs in debt. — Spanish. 
He that hears much, and speaks not at all, shall be weh 

come both in bower and hall. 
Ital. — Parlo poco, ascolto assai> e non falliri. 
He that buys a horse ready wrought, has many a pin and 

nail for nought. 

The French say, ' II faut acheter maison fait, et femme a faire. 
A house ready made and a wife to make. 

He that laughs when he is alone, will make sport in com- 
pany. 
He that converses not, knows nothing. 
He set my house on fire only to roast eggs ! 
He that fears you present will hate you absent. 
He lights his candle at both ends. 
He that will thrive must rise at five ; he that hath thriven 

may lie till seven. 
He who serves well, need not be afraid to ask his wages. 
He is never likely to have a good thing cheap, that i3 

afraid to ask the price. — French. 
He who stumbles twice over one stone, it is no wonder if 

he break his neck. — Spanish. 
He that canna mak sport should mar nane. — Scotch. 
He that has a great nose thinks every body is speaking of 
♦it. 
He's an ill boy that goes like a top, no longer than it is 

whipt. 
He sneaks as if he would creep into his mouth. 
He wounded a dead man to the heart. 
He has ae face to God, anither to the devil.— Scotch, 
lie that by the plough would thrive, himself must either 

hold or drive. 
Honey in the mouth saves the purse. 
Ital. — Miele in bocca, guarda la borsa. 
Honours change manners. 
Hunting, hawking, and love, for one joy have a hundred 

griefs.—- Scotch. 



ECONOMY, MANNERS, AND RICHES, 10t 

He who converses with nobody, is either a brute or an 

angel. 
He knows which side of his bread is buttered. 
He mends like sour ale in summer. 

I. 

Idle folks have the ruost labour. 

Idle men are dead all their life long. . 

Idleness is the greatest prodigality in the world. 

I sell nothing on trust till to-rnorrovv. 

Written on the shop doors. 

Jf an ass goes a travelling, he'll not come home ahorse. 

If you would be Pope, you must think of nothing else. 

If you would succeed in any undertaking of importance, you 

must devote all your mind and attention to it. 
If you will not hear reason, sue will surely rap your 

knuckles. 
If better were within, better would come out. 
If you have a loitering servant, place his dinner before 

him and send him of an errand. - Spanish. 

Idle folks have mostly the sharpest appetites, and a bribe in 
the shape of something to eat or drink, puts them the 
soonest in motion. 

Industry is fortune's right hand ; frugality, her left. 

If you wish a thing done, go ; if not, send. 

If youth knew what age would crave, it would both get 

and save. 
I mistress and you miss, who is to sweep the house. — ■ 

Spanish . 
If you make money your god, it will plague you like the 

devil. 
If the counsel be good, no matter who gave it. 
It is more easy to praise poverty than to bear it. — Italian. 
In affairs of this world, men are saved not by faith but by 

the want of it. 
If you be not ill, be not ill-like. — Scotch. 
If fools .vent not to market, bad ware would not be sold. 

— Spanish. 
It is hard for an empty bag to stand upright. 
Impudence and wit are vastly different. 
If you play with a fool at home, he'll play with you 

abroad. — Spanish, 

9* 



102 ECONOMY, MANNERS, AND RICHES. 

It is a pity that those who taught you to talk, did not also 

teach you to hold your tongue. 
If you would make an enemy, lend a man money and ask 

for it again. — Portuguese. 
It is too late to spare when the bottom is bare. — Scotch. 
It is miserable hospitality to open your doors and shut 

your countenance. 
It is a poor art that maintains not the artizan. — Italian. 
Jests, like sweetmeats, have often sour sauce. 

K. 

Keep a thing seven years and you will find a use for it.- — 
Gaelic. 

Keep out of a hasty man's way for a while ; out of a sul- 
len man's all the days of your life. 

Keep your thoughts to yourself; let your mien be free 
and open. 

Keep something for a sair fit. — Scotch. 

Keep thy shop and thy shop will keep thee. 

Keep aloof from quarrels ; be neither a witness nor a par- 
ty. 

L. 

Let choler be a common soldier, not a commander. 

Let us be friends, and put out the devil's eyes. 

Let your letter stay for the post, not the post for your let- 
ter — Italian. * 

Loquacity is the fistula of the soul, ever running and ne- 
ver cured. 

Liberality is not in giving largely, but in giving wisely. 

Leave raillery when it is the most agreeable. 
Ital. — Lascia la burla, quando piu piace. 

Since long stories went out of fashion with the hoops and 
wire caps of our grandmothers, a talent for raillery became 
the most engaging social accomplishment. There is, cer- 
tainly, nothing more entertaining than a little bit of banter 
on the follies and vanities of our friends and acquaintance ; 
it often does them good, and nobody in the world any harm, 
provided it is well carried on. But, like the handling of a 
delicate lancet, it requires great skill in the management, 
so that it only punctures the skin, without wounding the 
flesh and leaving a rankling soreness behind. Charles II. 
is represented to have possessed this fine tact to perfec- 
tion. Nobody knew better how to hit the morbid parts of 



ECONOMY, 1VUNNERS, AND, RICHES. 10 

bis companions, yet, like a dexterous fencer, he used his 
weapon with so much grace, good-breeding, and good-na- 
ture, that they could never harbour any resentment for the 
punishment he inflicted. The rule in the proverb is a good 
one, and founded on n just observance of colloquial jokery, 
The fact is, we are never so well pleased with our smart 
savings, as when we are doing the most execution ; when 
our jokes tell the best, or, as the saying is, the cap fits, we 
enjoy them the most, and then is the great danger, lest, in 
the tide of victory, we caricature the real (for it is only the 
truth that wounds) infirmities of our friends, in a way 
even good tempers cannot bear, in jest or earnest, 

Listeners hear no good of themselves. * 

Little said is soon amended. 

Little boats must keep near shore, large estates may ven- 
ture more. 

Lucky men need no counsel. 

Lying rides on debt's back. 

To put off our creditors we have recourse to subterfuges 
which, if not absolute lying, are a near approach to it. ~ 

Long is the arm of the needy. — Gaelic. 

U. 
Many there be that buy nothing -with their money but 

repentance. 
Make hay while the sun shines. 
Make a wrong step and down you g3. 
More nice than wise. 
Modest appearance, good humour, and prudence, make a 

gentleman. 
Make yourself all honey, and the flies will devour you.— 
Italian. 
Money will make the pot boil, though the devil p— in trfe 

fire. 
Money makes the man perfect. 

Zctf.— Integer est judex, quisquis non indiget auro. 
Many talk like philosophers, and live like fools. 
Masters should be sometimes blind and sometimes deaf.' 
•Men apt to promise, are apt to forget. 

N. 
Nothing should be done in haste but gripping of fleas**-- 

Scotch, ^ 



.104 Economy, manners, and riches, 

■Nature sets every tiding for sale to labour. 

^Pfeere are only two sources of wealth — land and labour. The 
spontaneous produce of the earth is limited; but there is 
no limit to the produce of industry. 

.Neither give to all, nor contend with tools, 

j^ot to oversee workmen is to leave them your purse open. 

None so old that he hopes not for a year of life. 

2fever lose a hog for a halfpenny worth of tar. 

No sweet without some sweat ; without pains, no gains. 

Heyersign a writing till you have read it, nor drink wine 

til! you have seen it. — Spanish. 
No raillery is worse than that which is true< 

ItaL^-Non ce la peggiorburla che la vera. 
Neither great poverty, nor great riches, will hear reason^ 

O. 
Gut of u'ebt, out of danger. 
One that is perfectly idle is perfectly weary too, and knows 

not what he would have or do. 
Gf money, wit, and virtue, believe one fourth of what 

you hear. 
Overdoing is doing nothing to the purpose. 
One barber shaves not so close but another finds work. 
Of little meddling comes great ease. 
'Of saving cometh having. 
Owe money to be paid at Easter, and Lent will seem 

ishorttoyou. 
One ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit. 
{ 0ne feiay live and learn. 

Pay as you go, and keep from small score. , 

Fains to get, care to keep, fear to lose. 

Fast labour is pleasant. 

Poor men may .think well, but rich men may think well 

and do well\ 
jPlay's gude while it is plays — Scotch* 
Poverty is the mother of all arts. 
:&ta/.— La poverto © lamadre di tutti garti. 
Provide for the worst the best will save itself, 
'{poverty breaks covenants., 



ECONOMY* MANNERS, AND RICHES, 105 

Poverty is an evil counsellor, 

Poverty is no baseness, but it is a branch of knavery. 

Spanish. — La probeza no es villeza, nms es-*amo de picardia. 
" He whom the dread of want ensnares, 
With baseness acts ; with meanness, bears/ 7 

Poverty breeds strife. 

Poverty craves many things, but avarice more, — Italian- 

Poverty has no shame. 

Spanish. — A probeza, no hay verguenza. 

Poverty makes a man acquainted with strange bed- fel- 

„ lows * m 

Poverty is social slavery. 

The old-Agings, on the evils of poverty are numerous — an# 
no wonder, for it is a bitter calamity. Burke has justly ob- 
served, that riches give a man the same ascendance in ci- 
vilized society, which superior strength does in a state of 
nature. Without money we are powerless ; we can neither 
have law, nor physic, nor good divinity What then is a man 
if he has not the means to protect property, preserve health, 
nor procure salvation ? He is poor indeed ! He is a slave 
— doubly so, in body and in mind. He must toil for some* 
body to live, and, though he may think, he must be wary 
how he speaks, lest he offended his employers — may be his 
patrons! Oh the word! he had better be a negro and 
boiljsugar than a needy man in a great city. To walk about 
tongue-tied and chop-fallen, the scorn of wealthy fools, and 
surrounded with enjoyments, which, to him, only " ves 
his eye and tease his heart! 77 He lies under the double 
curse of Tantalus, and the gnawing of Prometheus* 

Purposing without performing, is mere fooling. 

Praise without profit, puts little in the pocket. 

Praise a fair day at night. 

Q. 

Quality without Quantity is little thought of. — Scotch* 
Quarrelling dogs come halting home. 
Quick landlords make careful tenants. 
Quiet persons are welcome every where, 
Quick returns make rich merchants. — -Scotch 

R. 

Puse early and you will see; wake and you Will get 

wealth . — Spanish. 
JLkrhes like manure, do no good till they are Spretftfc 



im E€ON©3it. MANNERS, AN*) RICHES. 

Itiches may at any time be left, but not poverty. 
Running hares do not need the sour. — Italian. 

s. 

See, listen, and be silent and you will live in peace.- 

Italian, 

Bilks and satins put out the kitchen fire. 
So much of passion 30 much of nothing to the purpose. 
Speak well of your friend, of your enemy say nothing. 
iSpare to speak, spare to speed. 
Some have been thought brave because they were afraid 

to run away. 
Sit in your place and none can make you rise. 
Spend not where you may save ; spare not Ijhere you 

must spend. 
Spend and be free, but make no waste. 
Speak little and to the purpose, and you will pass for 

somebody. 
Setting down in writing is a lasting memory. 
Some are very busy, and yet do nothing, 

T. 
Take time while tiroe.is, for time will away. 
Talking pays bo toll. 
Take heed will surely speed. 

Tell not all you know, nor do all you can. — Italian, 
That which is well done is twice done. 
Think of ease but work on. 
That is good sport that fills the belly. — Scotch. 
Take away fuel and take away flame. 
The stone that lies not in your way, need not offend you, 
The best throw upon the dice is to throw them away. 
The best of the game is, to do one's business and talk 
< little of it. 

The money you refuse will never do you good. 
There are more lords in the world than fioe gentlemen. 
The sun is never the worse for shining on a dung-hill. 
The sweat of Adam's brow has streamed down ours ever 

'since. 
Too much spoileth, too little is nothing. 
The belly teaches all arts. 

ital.— Tutte le scienze insegna il ventre. 
The present fashion is always faandsome. 






ECONOMY, MANNERS, AND RICHE& |07 

The fox'? wiles will never enter into the lion's head, 
The dearer it is, the cheaper it is to me, for I shall buy 

the less. 
The head gray, and no brains yet ' 
There are no coxcombs so troublesome, as these that have 

some wit. 
The more wit, the less courage. 
The foolish Alchymist sought to make gold of iron, ana 

made iron of gold. — Italian. 
The poor man's wisdom is as useless as a palace in a wil- 
derness. — Gaelic. 
The sluggard's jruise — loth to bed and loth to rise. 
The eye of the master doth more than both hands* 
The poor do penance for the follies of their superiors.--, 

— Italian. 
There is a knack of appearing knowing, if we can only 

be silent. 
The king of good fellows is appointed for the queen of 

beggars. 
The abuse of riches is worse than the want of them* 

There are two things men ought to take special care of; their 
health and their pockets. If either of these be indisposed, 
God help the sufferer. The Italians say, " Poverty is half 
a sickness ;" but of the two, I think the health better be 
low than the pocket. In sickness we need little, but in 
health our wants are like armed men. and must, be satisfied. 
Bacon says, " Knowledge is power, but the wisdom of a 
poor man goes a very little way, while the loquacity of a 
rich fool carries every thing before it. Poverty is real sla- 
very — bodily and mental. By all means then we ought to 
get mone}' ; not to hoard, but to spend — to procure enjoy- 
ment, liberty, independence, and above all, the power of 
doing good. 

The fool wonders, the wise man travels. 

The rich and ignorant are sheep with golden-wool.— -Itah 

The horse-shoe that clatters wants a nail. — Spanish. 

Applied to those who boast most of their wealth, when in 
greatest difficulties. 

Three things only are well done in haste : flying from the 

plague, escaping quarrels, and catching fleas. 
The less wit a man has, the less he knows he wants it, 
rp o him that wills, ways are seldom wanting. 
holidays of joy are the vigils of sorrow 



108 ECONOMY, MANNERS, AND RICHER 

The study of vain things is laborious idleness. 

They may know the workman from his work. — Italian. 

The true art of making gold, is to to have a good estate? 
and spend little of it. 

The poor man's budget is full of schemes. — Spanish, 

The more riches a fool hath, the foolisher he is. 

The easiest way to dignity is humility. 

Though a coat be never so fine, which a fool wears, yet 
'tis but a fool's coat. 

Try your friend with a falsehood, and if he keep it a se- 
cret, tell him the truth. — Italian. 

There is no fishing for trout in dry breeches. — Spanish, 

If we would enjoy any good, we must make the necessary 

sacrifices to obtain it. 
The more you court a mean man, the statelier he grows. 

^Spanish. 
To believe a business impossible, is the way to make it so. 
To work for the Bishop. 
Spanish — * Trabajar para el obispo.' A figurative allusion. 

implying, a man's industry and exertions have yielded no 

profit nor advantage to hira. 
To be a fool or a knave in print, doth but bring the truth 

to light. 
The man is cheaply bought who costs but a salutation. 
To quake at work, and sweat at meals. 
Spanish. — Al hacer temblar, y al comer sudar. 
The best is the cheapest. — Italian. 
The greatest wealth is contentment with a little. 
There is more trouble in having nothing to do, than in 

having much to do.— -Italian. 
To be proud of an hereditary title is to flaunt in a dead 

man's clothes. 
That bolt never came out of your quiver. 
That is a wise delay which makes the road safe. 
True valour is fire ; bullying is smoke. 
To whom you betray your secret, you give your liberty* 

— Italian. 
Too much familiarity breeds contempt. 
Plutarch observes that, out of three of the best things, three 

of the worst arise ; from truth, hatred ; from familiarity, 

contempt ;|from Jiappiness ; envy. 



| f 0dNOM¥, MANNERS, AND KICHE3. i1j$ 

Trouble not your head about the weather, nor the go? 
vernment, * v 

V, . 

Virtue itself, without good manners, is laughed at. 
Venture thy opinion, but not thyself for thy opinion 

U. 

Unbidden guests know not where to sit down- 
Unexperienced men think all things easy, 
Use soft words and hard arguments, 

W. 

Wealth, makes worship. 
Wealth is best known by want 

Well to work and make a fire, it doth care and skill re- 
quire. 
When flatterers meet, the devil goes to dinner. 
Who spends more than he should, shall not have to spend 

when he would. 
We hate delay ; yet it makes us wise. 
We never know the worth of water till the well iff dry, 
Where necessity pinches, boldness is prudence. 
With foxes we must play the fox. 
Wit is folly, unless a wise man has the keeping of it. 
When necessity comes in, tu rn modesty out. 
Wine and youth are fire upon fire. 
Who more brag than they that have least to do. 
Worth, without wealth, is a good servant out of place. 
What the better is the house for the sluggard rising early. 
Wealth is not his who gets it, but his who enjoys it. 
When a man is not liked, whatever he does is amiss* 
Who will not keep a penny shall never have many, 
Wrinkled purses make wrinkled faces, 
When a fool has bethought himself, the market is over. 
When you have any business with a man, give him. tfife 

enough, 
W T hen you hav.s bought one fine thing you must by ten 

more, so that your appearance may be all of a piece. 
When either side grows warm with argument, the wises* 

man gives over first. 



no ECONOMY, MANNERS, AND RICHES, 

Write down the advice of him who loves you, though you 

like it not at present. 
Would you know the value of money, go and borrow 

some. — Sp anish . 
We must not be down and cry, God help us ! 
When you meet with a fool, pretend business to get rid 

of him. 
W T ho buys has need of a hundred eyes, who sells has 

enough of one. 
We are bound to be honest, but not to be rich. 
When the door is shut the work improves. — Spanish. 
You are less liable- to be interrupted, or have your attention 

withdrawn from your business. 
What tutor shall we find for a child sixty years old ! 
When you obey your superiors, you instruct your infe- 
riors. 
When a man's coat is threadbare, it is easy to pick a hole 

in it. 

When a man is unfortunate and reduced in the world, any 
one may find fault with his conduct. 

When the horse is stolen, you shut the stable door. 
When gold speaks, all tongues are silent. — Italian. 
When the pig is proffered, hold up the poke. 
We must live by the quick, and not by the dead. 
Who has nothing in this world is nothing. — Italian 
When your companions get drunk and fight, take up your 
hat and wish them good night. 

Y. 

You have fouled yourself, and now you would have me 

clean you 
You must be content sometimes with rough roads. 
You may tell an idle fellow if you but see him at dinner. 
You may offer a bribe without fear of having your throat 

cat. 
You must let your phlegm subdue your choler, if you 

would not spoil your business. 
You have good manners, but never carry them about you. 
You must not cut and deal too. 
You may give him good advice, but who can give him 

wit to take it. 
You must not expect sweet from a dunghill, nor honour 

from a clown. 



WOMEN, LOVE; AND WEDLOCK, lit 

Your lookmg-glass will tell you what none of your 

friends will. 
You may know by a penny how a shilling spends, 
You gazed at the moon and fell in the gutter. 
Your trumpeter is dead, so you sound yourself. 
Your great admirers are mostly but silly fellows. 
You had rather go to mill than to mass. — Spanish. 
You must cut your coat according to your cloth, 
French. — Selon le pain il faut la-conteau. 



WOMEN, LOYE, AND WEDLOCK. 



A. 

A bony bride is soon dressed, a short horse soon whisked, 

— Scotch. 
At the gate which suspicion enters, love goes out. 
A maid that laughs is half taken. 
A mill, a clock, and a woman, always want mending. 
At weddings and funerals, friends are discerned from 

kinsfolk. 
An old man is a bed full of bones. 
As the good man saith, so say we ; hut a3 the good woman 

saith, so it must be. 
A woman and a greyhound must be small in the waist. — 

Spanish. 
A little house well filled, a little land well, tilled, and a 

little wife well willed. 
A fair woman, with foul conditions, is like a sumptuous 

sepulchre, full of corruption. 
A buxom widow must be either married, buried, or shut 

up in a convent. — Spanish. 
All come to delude her, but none to marry her. — Spanish. 
A man may love his house well, and yet not ride on the 

ridge. 
A man may love his children and relations well, and yet not 

be foolishlv fond and indulgent to them. 







* 



WOMEN, LOVE. AND WEDLOCK. 

A young woman married to an old man, must behave like 
an old woman. 

All wom«« are good ; good for something, or good for no- 
thing. 

A woman is known by her walking and drinking.— Span* 

More, I apprehend, may be known of a woman by her talking 
than her " walking." The Spaniards entertain an unfavour- 
able opinion of ladies, who are fond of walking, es- 
pecially in public places. 

A virtuous woman, though ugly, is the ornament of the 
house. 

A jealous man's horns hang in his eyes. 

An obedient wife commands her husband. 

A man of straw is worth a woman of gold. 

French. — " Un homme de paille, vaut une femme d'cr. 

If this proverb be meant literally, we can only say it is a very 
imgallant one, especially from so gallant a nation as the 
French. It is an instance of what we had occasion to re- 
mark in the Introduction, that those countries the most ce- 
lebrated for love and intrigue, are the most severe in their 
reflections on the female sex. 

A woman that loves to be at the window, is like a bunch 

of grapes on the highway. 
A woman and a cherry are painted for their own harm. 
A woman's work is never at. an end. 
A liquorish tongue, a liquorish tail. 
A good wife is the workmanship of a good husband. 
A true friend does sometimes venture to be offensive. 
An old whore's curse is a blessing. 

A woman that paints, puts up a bill that she is to be let. 
A woman is to be from her home three times,; when she 

is christened, married, and buried. — Spanish. 
What jealous-pated knaves these Spaniards must be I A wq* 

jnan had better go to a nunnery at once. 
Advise no one to go to the wars, nor to marry. — Spanish. 
A nice wife and a back door, do often make a rich mar? 

poor. — Italian. 
A man's best fortune or his worst is a w^j. 
A man would not be alone even in Paradise. 
A husband without ability is like a house without a roo£. 

*— Spanish. 
A lewd bachelor makes a jealous husband. 
A groaning wife and a grunting horse never fail their 

master. -—Scotch 



WOMEN; LOVE ; AND WEDLOCK. 113 

i woman, without virtue, is like palled wine. 

A handsome courtezan is the hell of the soul, and the 

scourge of the purse. — Italian. 

A very great beauty is either a fool, or proud. 

Women of great personal charms are apt to rely too much 
upon them, and neglect other means of malting themselves 
agreeable. i>ut, according to another saying. "There is 
no rule without exception," and we doubt nol, but there 
are many among our fair countrywomen. 

An amorous person has never too much. — Spanish* 

A baren sow was never good to pigs. — Socich. 

Applied to old maids -and unfruitful wives, who, having no 

children of their own, deal harshly to other people's. 
A friend that you buy with .presents will be bought from 

you. 
An enemy to beauty is a foe to Nature. 
A dog's nose and a maid's knees are always cold. 
An amorous old man is like a winter flower.— Spanish, 
Spanish. — Viejo amador, invierno con flor. 
All are good lasses ; but where come the ill wives fraei 5 

— Scotch. 
A maid that taketh yieldeth. 
Ital.— Donna che prinde tosto si rende. 
A woman conceals what she knows not. 
A lass that has many wooers oft fares the worst. — Scotch. 
A man must ask his wife leave to thrive. 
A sweet and innocent compliance is the cement of love. 
A good oceassion for courtship is, when the widow relurns 

from the .funeral. 

B. 

Bare walls make gadding housewives. 

Beauty will not buy beef. 

Beauty in women is like the flower in spring ; but virtue 

is like the stars of heaven. 
Beauties without fortunes have sweethearts plenty, but 

husbands none at all. 
Be a goo J husband, and you Will soon get a penny to spend* 

penny to lend, and a penny for a friend. 
Biting and scratching is Scots' folks wooing.— Scotch* 




Hi WOMEN, LOVE, AM) WEDLOCK 

Which answers to the Spanish saying, on the amorous dally- 
ings of the feline race — Los amores del goto, vinendo cntran 
»-" Cat's love begins with quarrelling," 

" Their friskings, crawlings, squal, I much approve 
Their spittings, pawings, high raised rumps, 
Swell'd tails and merry -andrew jumps, 
With the wild minstrelsy of rapt'rous love. 
How sweetly roll their gooseberry eyes, 
As loud they tune their amorous cries, 
And, loving, scratch each other black and blue !"— Walcot. 
Before you scarry be sure of a house wherein you tarry.-— 

Spanish.— Italian. 
Bachelors' wives and maids' children are always well 

taught. 
Better wed over the mixon than over the moor. — Cheshire. 

Tfiat is, at home or its vicinity, where the parties are known 
to each other, than far off where they are strangers : mixon 
is the dung and litter in the farm-yard, while the road from 
Chester to London is over the moorland in Staffordshire. 
It is a spark of provincial pride, to induce the gentry to 
intermarry among themselves, to prolong their own fami- 
lies, and perpetuate ancient friendships. 

Better go away longing than loathing. 

Better be half hanged,, than ill wed. 

Beauty draws more than oxen. 

Beauty is no inheritance. 

Better be a cuckold and not know it, than none and every 
body say so. 

C. 
Call your husband cuckold in jest, asd he'll ne'er suspect 

you. 
Children are uncertain comforts: when little, they make 

parents fools ; when great, mad. 
Choose a wife rather by your ear, than your eye. 
Commend a wedded life 5 but keep thyself a bachelor. 

D. 

delays increase desires, and sometimes ex'tkiguish their). 
Discreet women have neither eyes nor ears. 
Trench. — Lafemme de bien n'aoi veux ni oreilles. 



WOMEN, LOVE, AND WEDLOCK. 

E. 

man can tame a shrew, but he that hath her. 

Easy to keep the castle that was never besieged — Scotch, 

Spaken with bitterness by a handsome woman, when an ugly 

one calls her a w— . — . 
England is the Paradiee of women, the hell of horses, and 

the purgatory of servants 

The liberty allowed to women in England, the portion as- 
signed by law to widows out of their husband's goods and 
chattels, and the politeness with Which all denominations 
of that sex are in general treated, join to establish the truth 
of the first part of the proverb. The furious driving of 
carmen, coachmen, and others, give too much colour to the 
second ; but we trust this opprobrium on the character of 
Englishmen will shortly be removed by the strong public 
feeling excited against cruelty to animals, and the late acts 
of the legislature. With respect to England being the 
"purgatory of servants," it may be flatly denied — unless 
it be in some of the cotton manufactories in the North. 

Every man can guide an ill wife, bat he that hath her.-- 
Scotch. 



Fair is not fair, but that which pleaseth. 

ItaL — Non e bello quel' che bello, ma e bello quel 7 che piace, 
File dresses the meat, a-.: .jut a smart we>ieh. — Spanish' 
Fools are wise men in the ..fairs of women, 
For whom does the blind man's wife paint herself ?-~- 

Spanish. 
Far fetched, and dear bought, i3 good for the ladies- 
French.. — Vache de loin a lait assez. 

Fann'd fire, and forced love, never did well yet.— -Scotch. 
Friends got v. ;ihout ilerert will b* 3 lost without cause. 
with a cobweb thread. — Italian, 
trie porfeetioia of love. 



us *- Spanish. 
Glasses a&g lasses ar£ brittle ware. — - Scotch. 



WOMEN, LOVE, AND WEDLOCK 
H. 

Hold your hands off other folks' bairns, till you get some 

of your own. — Scotch. 
Spoken by a girl, when a young man offers to tease her. 
He who is about to marry should consider how it is with 

his neighbours. 
He has most share in the wedding that lies with the bride. 
He that hath a wife and children must not sit with his fin- 
gers in his mouth. 
Who marrieth for love, without money, hath good nights 

and sorry days. — Italian. — Spanish. 
He that loseth his wife, and a farthing, has a great loss of 

his farthing. — Italian. 
He who intrigues with a married woman has his life in 

pledge. 

Spanish,. — Quien ama la casada la vida trae empre&tada. 
He that tell^ Kris wiie news is but newly married. 

The wife grows stale, and the husband less attentive to please 

her after the honeymoon 
He who wishes to chastise a fool, get him a wife. — Italian. 
He to whom God gave no sons the Devil gives nephews. 

— Spanish. 

Implying, that those who have no cares of their own, are 

generally oppressed with the cares of others. 
He loves you as a ferret does a rabbit, to make a meal of 

you. 
He that is a wise man by day is no fool by night. 
He that marries a widow will often have a dead man's 

head thrown in his dish. — Spanish. 
He has a great fancy to marry that goes to the devil for a 

wife. 
He who does not honour his, wife dishonours himself.—* 

Hal. 
He who marrieth for wealth 
Hethftttal 

;ghl v 
. .. oo n«r day and night. 
He mat msseth his wife in the market-place, shall have 

plenty to teach him. 



WOMEN, love, and WEDLOCK. W 

Hast thou a mind to quarrel with thy wife ? bid her bring 
water to thee in the sunshine. — Spanish. 

Then swear it is dirty, from the motes which will appear in 
the clearest water. 

Hearts may agree, though heads differ. 

Honest men marry soon, wise men not at all.— -lie \H 



•i ,...-: a goldfinch, ?he amy prove in* time 

u wag-tail. 
In rain and sunshine cuckolds, go to heaven. 
I will never spit in my bonnet and set it on my head.— 

Scotch, 
I will never ruin the woman I intend 10. marry. 
If marriages be made in heaven some have few friend. 

there. — Scotch, 
it is in vain to watch a really bad woman. — Italian. 
It is a soure reek when the good wife dings the good man, 

— Scotch, 
A man in my country coming out of his house, with tears on 

his cheeks, was asked the occasion. He said, there was a 

" soure reek" in the house ; but, upon farther inquiry, it 

was found the wife had beaten him.— Kelly. 
It's dangerous marrying a widow, because she has cast 

her rider. 
It's a good horse that never stumbles, and a good wife that 

never grumbles. 
If the eye do not admire, the heart will not desire. — ItaL 
it is in vain to kick, after you have once put on fetters. 
It is a sweet sorrow to buy a termagant wife. 
If all the world were ugly, deformity would be no moftf 

ster. 
In love's wars, he who flyeth is conqueror. 
If Jack's in love, he's no judge of JUVs beauty. 
It's a sad house where the hen crows louder than the cock", 

— Italian. 
If you can kiss the mistress, never kiss the maid. 
It is better to marry a quiet fool than a witty scold. 
If one will not, another will! so are all inaicrens married. 
If thou desirest a wife, choose her on a Saturday r 
an en a Sunday.— Spam 



118 WOMEN, LOVE, AND WEDLOCK, 

It's hard to wive and thrive both in a year. 
If the mother had never been in the oven, she would not 
have looked for her daughter there. 

K. 

Keep the feast till the feast-day — Scotch. 

Advice for maidens not to part with their vi gmity till mar- 



That is, ieft nc. the fn ei %ue, ana . 

beat her for speaking ! 

Kissing goes by favour. 

K sing is cry'd down to shaking of hands. — Scotch* 

Alluding to a proclamation that nobody should kiss hereafter, 
but only shake hands. This piece of prudery, it is proba- 
ble, was in the days of John Knox, and nearly contempo- 
rary with that noted enactment of the Puritans in England, 
when simple fornication was subjected to punishment. 
L. 

Ladies will sooner pardon want of sense than want of 
manners. 

Likeness begets love, yet proud men hate one another. 

Like blood, like good, and like age, make the happiest 
marriages. 

Long-tongued wives go long with bairn. — -Scotch. 

Love me little, love me long. 

Lat. — Nihil vehemens durabile. 

Love and pease-pottage will make their way. 

Love and lordship like no fellowship. 

Love may gain all, time destroys all, and death ends all. 
— Italian 

Love and pride stock Bedlam. 

Love is the loadstone of love. 

Love, knavery, and necessity, make men good orators. 

.Love is without prudence, and anger without counsel.—- 
Italian. 

u I could not love, I'm sure, 

One who in love were wise." — Cowley. 

Love can neither be bought nor sold ; its only price is 
love. — Italian. 

Love is as warm among cottagers as courtiers, 



WOMEN, LOVE, AND WEDLOCK. 

M. 

Many a time have I got a wipe with a towel, but never a 

daub with a dish-clout before. — Scotch. 
The answer of a saucy girl, when teased by an unworthy 

suitor. 
More belongs to marriage, than four bare legs in a bed. 
Marriage is- honourable, but house-keeping chargeable. 
Many kiss the child for the nurse's sake. 
Marry your sons when you will, your daaghters when you 

can. 
Marry your daughters betimes, lest they marry themselves, 

— Spanish. 
Marry, marry ! and who is to manage the house ? — Span, 

Said of foolish young persons, who talk of marriage before ' 
they are capable to undertake the cares and expenses of 
wedlock. 

Marry in haste and repent at leisure. 

Man is fire, and woman tow ; the devil comes and sets 

them in a blaze. — Spanish. 
Maids want nothing but husbands, and when they have 

got them, they want everything. 
Many a one for land, takes a fool by the hand. 
Many blame the wife for their own thriftless life.— Scotch. 
My son's my son till he hath got him a wife, 
My daughter's my daughter all days of her life. 

N. 
Ne'er seek a wife till ye ken what to do with her. —Scotch. 
Never was a prison fair, or a mistress foul. 
French. — Iln'y a point de belle prison, ni de laides amours, 
Next to no wife, a good wife is best, 
r^ovelty is always handsome. — Italian. 
New amours make us forget the old. — Italian. 
Nineteen nay-says of a maiden are half a grant. — Scotch. 
Not so ugly as to be frightful, nor so beautiful as to kill. 

— Spanish. 
No woman is ugly when she is drest. 

O, 

Observe the face of the wife to know the husband's cha- 
Bter. — Spanish. 



WOMEX LOVE, ASP WEDLOCK 

Old women's gold is not ugly. 

A wipe for those who are on the scent after old Do\^ 
with heavy purses. 

One love drives out another, 

Old maids lead apes in hell. 

One year of joy, another of comfort, and all the rest of 

content. 
A marriage wish, 

F. 
Paint and patches give offence to the husband, hopes to 

the gallant. 
Play, women, and wine, undo men laughing* 
Prettiness makes no pottage, 

<?. 
She was a neat dame that washed the ass's face 
^he is neither maid, wife, nor widow. 
She had rather kiss than spin. 

She who often looks at her face in the glass, often I 
of her tail. 

Coquet and coy at once her air. 

Both study'd, though both seem neglected ; 
Careless she is, with artful care 

Affecting, to seem unaffected. — Congrevk. 
hat is born a beauty is half married. 
She that has an ill husband shows it in her dress. 
Smoke, raining into the house, and a scolding wife, will 

make a man run out of doors. 
Saith Solomon the wise, * A good wife's a good prize/ 
she who is born handsom? is born married. 

Ital t — Che nasee bella, nasce maritatc . 
Sometimes you are like a dog and cat. and somstiine-" 

like the monkey and his clog, 
rince you wrong'd me, you never had a good thought cA 

me. 
She spins a v*ho brings up her son ~- 

frisk* 

. . -- . a ■ '. 3i and, — Span 



WOMEN, LOVE, AND WEDLOCK. 122 

T. 

Take heed, girl, of the promise of a man, for it will rurt 
like a crab.— Spanish. 
That is, backwards. 

The bride goes to her marriage bed, but knows not what 
shall happen to her. — Hebrew. 

The woman who has a bad husband makes a confidant of 
her maid. — Spanish. 

The bitch that I mean is not a dog. 

The society of ladies is a school of politeness. 

The rich widow cries with one eye, and rejoices with the 
other. — Spanish. 

The love of women is like wine ; the evening it is good, 
the morning it is spoiled. — Italian. 

The fairer the hostess, the fouler the reckoning. 
Fi-ench — Belle hostesse, c'est un mal pour la bourse. 

The remedy for love is — land between. — Spanish. 

To a foolish woman, a violin is more pleasing than a disr- 
taff. — Italian . 

There is no better looking-glass than a true friend. 

The first wife is matrimony, the second company, and the 
third heresy. — Italian. 

The calmest husbands make the stormiest wives. 

This is one of the " learned aphorisms," which Mr. D'Israe- 
li says the husbands of former days had inscribed on their 
trenchers, to remind them of the sort of policy necessary 
lo govern their dames. The same elegant writer informs 
us that, much later even than the reign of Elizabeth, our 
ancestors had proverbs always before them, on everything 
which had room for a piece of advice on it. They had 
them painted on their tapestries, stamped on the most or- 
dinary utensils, on the blades of their knives, the borders 
of their plates, and ' conned them out of goidsmith's 
rings." The usurer, in Robert Green's " Groat's worth 
of Wit," compressed all his philosophy into the circle of 
his ring, having learnt sufficient Latin to understand the 
proverbial motto of, " Tu tibi cura." 

The cunning wife makes her husband her apron.— 

Spanish. 
The more women look in their glasses, the less they loofe 

to their houses. 

nil a goose make a marl 



122 WOMEN, LOVE, AND WEDLOCK. 

Tell it to her once, and the devil will tell it to her ten 
times. — Spanish. 

Tell a woman she is beautiful, and the devil will often 
put her m mind of it. 

They were both equally bad, so the devil put them to- 
gether. 

To preserve a friend, three things are required ; to hon- 
our him present, praise him absent, and assist him in 
his necessities. — Italian* 

The mother knows best whether the child be like the 
father. 

There is many a good wife that can't sing and dance well. 

Three daughters and a mother are four devils for the fa- 
ther. — Spanish. 

There is one good wife in the country, and every man 
thinks he hath her. 

There is no mischief in the world done, but a woman is 
always one. 

To kiss a man's wife, or wipe his knife, is but a thankless 
office. 

f;W. 
Women grown bad are worse than men ; because the 

corruption of the best turns to the worst. 
Women and children's wishes are the ambition of only 

weak men. 
Women and wine intoxicate the young and old.- — Italian* 

u Beauty, though dangerous, hath strange power !" 
Women commend a modest man, but like him not. 

"Not much he kens, I ween, of woman's breast, 

Who thinks that wanton thing is won by c-igha ; 

What careth she for hearts when once posseBs'd ? 

Do proper homage to thine idol's eyes ; 

But not too humbly, or she will despise 

Thee and thy suit, though told in moving tropes ; 

Disguise even tenderness, if thou art wise ; 

Brisk confidence still best with woman copes, 

Pique her, and soothe in turns, soon Passion crowns t Ivy- 
hopes. — Childe Harold. 
Wife and children are bills of charges. 
Who feels love in his breast, feels a spur in his limbs,— 

Italian. 
Where did the girl lose her maiden-head ? Where sh^ 
oi il kseand heard worse. — Spanish. 



WOMEN, LOVE, AND WEDLOCK. 123 

We bachelors grin, but you married men laugh till you- 
hearts ache. 

"When a couple are newly married, the first month is ho- 
ney-moon, or smick smack ; the second is hither and 
thither ; the third is thwick thwack ; the fourth, the 
devil take them that brought thee and I together. 

When poverty comes in at the door, love flies out at the 
window. 

When the good man's from home, the good wife's table is 
soon spread. 

Who has a bad wife, has purgatory for a neighbour. — Itah 

Who is a cuckold, and conceals it, carries coals in hisbO" 
som. — Spanish. 

Who weds ere he be wise, shall die ere he thrives. 

Wine and wenches empty men's purses. 

Women, wine, and horses, are dangerous ware. — Italian, 

Women must have their wills while they live, because 
they make none when they die. 

Women, priests, and poultry, have never enough. 
Ital. — Donne preti, et polli, non eon mai sat olli. 

Women and linen look best by candle li c it. 

Frenc/i.^Elie eat belle a lachandelle, mais le jour gate 
tout. 

Women and dogs set men together by the ears. 

Women are wise on a sudden, fools on premeditation. — 
Italian. 

Women in mischief are wiser than men. 

Who hath a scold hath sorrow to his sops. 

W T ho thinks a woman hath no merit but her money, de- 
serves to be made a cuckold. 

Who more ready to call her neighbour — scold, than the 
greatest scold in the parish ? 

Ladies of pleasure affect not you, but your money. 

While the tall maid is stooping, the little one hath swept 
the house. 

Women laugh when they can and weep when they will. 

Works and not words are the proof of love. — Spanish. 

Who takes an eel by the tail, and a woman by her word, 
may say that he holds nothing. — Italian. 

Y. 

You may know a foolish woman by her finery, 
— Femme sotte. ee co.gtioit a la cotte. 



m HEALTH AND DIET. 

You need not marry ; you have troubles enough with- 
out it. 



HEALTH AND DIET. 



A. 



A man has often more trouble to digest meat than to get 

meat. 
A rich mouthful, a heavy groan. — Spanish. 

Alluding to the gout and other distempers produced by epi- 
curean living. 

A glutton was never generous to others. — Gaelic. 

A good surgeon must have an eagle's eye, a lion's heart, 
and a lady's hand. 

An old physician, a young lawyer. 

The first is supposed to be more skilful, from greater expe- 
rience ; and the last will be most zealous in the cause of 
his client, from a desire to distinguish himself. 
After dinner, sit awhile ; 
After supper walk a mile. 

This old distich is not applicable to the fashion of the present 
day, when we often sup at midnight, or after ; it might do 
in the olden time, when our ancestors breakfasted at six in 
the morning, dined at eleven, and supped at four or five 
o'clock in the afternoon : a walk in the cool of the evening, 
would then be conducive to health ! 

An e^ and to bed, 

B. 

Better a good dinner than a fine coat. — French. 

A Burgundian proverb, which one would suppose of English 
extraction. The Burgundians are great gormandisers and 
shabby dressers ; they are commonly said to have " bow- 
els of silk and velvet ; ,; that is, all their silk and velvet go 
to their guts. 

Better wait on the cook than the doctor a ~— Scotch, 



HEALTH AND DIET. 125 

Better lose a supper than have a hundred physicians— 

P Spanish. 

Better belly burst than good drink lost. 

This is John Bull's own ; it is clearly of native growth. It 
affords a curious contrast with the preceding one from the 
Spanish, and strikingly illustrates the characteristic differ- 
ence of the two nations. 

Bread that sees, wine that sparkles, cheese that weeps, 

Be long sick, that ye may be soon hale. — Scotch. 

Better half a loaf than no bread. 

Bitter pills may have oiessed effects.— Scotch. 

Bread at pleasure, drink by measure. — French. 

Bread of a day, ale of a month, and wine of a year, 
C. 

Children and chickens must be always picking. 
D 

Drink wine and have the gout; drink none and have 
it too. 

Diet cures more than the lancet. 

Spanish. — Mas curala dieta, que la lanceta. 

In two things men most commonly show their folly ; going to 
law, and neglect of their health, One ruins their fortunes, 
the other deprives them of the meaiis of enjoying them. 
With respect to health, the proverb is a good recipe, but it 
ought to have included exercise. Diet and exercise are the 
two physicians of iNature, and by a due attention to them, 
ninety-nine diseases out of a hundred may be averted or 
cured. Medicine itself is but the quack of these natural 
doctors, and attempts, by a shorter but artificial process,, 
to do what regimen alone would accomplish. Those who 
live high should exercise freely The ban vivant may rely 
on the advice of an eminent physician to the Dutchess of 
Portsmouth ; " You must eat less ; take more exercise ; 
take physic : or be sick.'" Over-feeding is the chief cause of 
those nervous affections and irritable humours, which fir6t 
make men mad, and then drive them to self-destruction. It 
is a pity the nature of the animal economy is not more ge- 
nerally understood. Thousands are miserable for the want 
of some little Manual on the preservation of health Chil- 
dren suffer as well as grown persons , and indulgent but ig- 
norant parents ruin the constitutions of their offspring by 
improper treatment and nursing. It is hoped a hint on this 
subject will be taken, by those endeavouring to benefit the 
public and themselves by cheap publications. 



m HEALTH AND DIET, 

Eat little at dinner, less at supper, sleep aloft, and you 

will live long. — Spanish. 
Eat weel is drink weePs brother. — Scotch- 
Enough is as good as a feast. 
F. 
Fish must swim thrice — namely, once in the water, once 

in the sauce, and a third time in wine in the stomach. 
G, 
Go to bed with the lamb, and rise with the lark. 
God sends meat, and ihe devil series cooks. 
God cures and the doctor takes the fee. 

H. 
He who hath good health is young ; and he is rich who 

owes- nothing. 
He has a hole under his nose that all his money runs into. 
He that would live for aye, must eat sage in May. 
He that wants health wants every thing. 
French. — Qui n'a sante n'a rien. 
Health without money is half a sickness. — Italian. 
Health and mirth create beauty. 

Spanish. — Salud y alegria belleza cria. 

One can hardly conceive a person unhandsome who posseses 
health and cheerfulness. 

Health is better than wealth. 

Hunger is the best sauce. 

Italian. — La fame e il miglior intingolo. 

Hunger and expectation make a man mad — Spanish. 

Hungry men think the eooklaz^. 

Hunger and cold deliver a man up to the enemy — Span- 
ish. 

Hunger cannot bear contradiction. 

Hungry dogs will eat dirty puddings. 

French.-— A la faim il n' y a point de mauvais pain. 
It seems wisely provided, that as hunger increases, and of 
course requires more food to appease it, the palate becomes 
proportionately less discriminative. Hence Juvenal ob- 
serves : 

" Thus much to the kind rural gods we owe. 
Who pitied suffering mortals long ago ; 
When on harsh acorns hungrily they fed. 
And grave ; m nicer palates, better bread " 



HEALTH AND DIE! 12? 

I. 

If the doctor cures, the sun sees it ; but if he kills, the 
earth hides it. — Scotch. 

If it were not for the belly the back might wear gold. 

It is easier to fill a glutton's belly than his eye. 

It is a great pleasure to eat, and have nothing to pay. 

Spanish. — Gran placer, no escotar y comer. 

If physic do not work, prepare for the kirk. 
M. 

Medicines are not meant to live on. 
O. 

Of all meat in the world, driuk goes the best down. 

Of wine the middle, of oil the top ; and of honey the bot- 
tom is best. 

One hour's sleep before midnight, is worth two after. 

A more wholesome, if not a truer maxim, than that of Eras- 
mus : 
" Nunquam dulcior sornnus, quam post exortem solem." 

Often and a little eating makes a man fat. 

It is on this system our pugilists are trained for their ren- 
contres They eat often and sparingly, and take moderate 
rest and exercise between each meal. By this simple pro- 
cess, the wind is strengthened, a corkiness and elasticity 
of motion acquired, and the whole frame invigorated, 
which enables them to give and take a great deal of ham- 
mering, and, also, speedily recover from their bruises. It 
is an admirable system for those who wish to renovate a 
ion, weakened by too much indulgence. 
P. 

Physicians rarely take medicine. — Italian. 

Nor lawyers go to law — two hints not unworthy of attention » 

Plenty makes dainty.— Scotch. 
S. 

Sickness is felt, but health not at all. 

T. 

Temperance, employment, and a cheerful spirit, are the 

great preservers of health. 
That is not always good in the maw that is sweet in the 

mouth. 
The difference between the poor man and the rich i?, that 



i2U HEALTH AND DIET. 

the poor walks -to get meat for his stomach, the ric 

stomach for his meat. 
The full stomach loatheth the honey-comb, but to the 

hungry everything is sweet. 
The morning to the mountain, the evening to the foun- 
tain. 

Ital. — La mattina al ponte, e la sera al fonte. 
The choleric drinks, the melancholic eats, the phlegmatic 

sleeps. 
The belly hath no ears 

Lot.— -Venter non habet aures. 
The nearer the bone, the s ■■>■ -eeter the flesh. 
The bead and feet keep warm, the rest will take no harm. 
They who would be young when they are old, must be 

old when they are young. 
To a full belly ail meat is bad. — Italian. 
The epicure puts his-purse into his belly, and the miser 

bis belly into his purse. 
The first dish pleaseth all. 
The best physicians are Dr. Diet, Dr. Quiet, and Dr. 

Merryman. 
? Tis good to walk till/ the blood appears on the cheek, but 

not the sweat on the brow.— Spanish. 
Two ill meals make the third a glutton, 

W. 
We are usually the best men, when in the worst health. 
When bread is wanting, oaten cakes are excellent.— Span* 
Who sups well, sleeps well. 

Ital — Chi ben cena, qen dorma. 
With respect to the gout, the physician is but a lout. — » 

— Spanish, 
Who steals an old man's supper does him no harm. 
Wine wears no breeches. — French. 
It usually loosens the tongue and gives the liberty of speech. 

For this reason, ladies generally withdraw, when the wine 

comes on the table, not choosing to be present with such 

an undecent guest. 

Wine is a turn-coat ; first a friend, then an enemy. 

Y. 
You have lost your own stomach and found a dogV 



HUSBANDRY AND WEATHER. 129 

Y©u dig your grave with your teeth. 

You can't eat vour cake and have vour cake. 



HUSBANDRY AND WEATHER. 



If the grass grow in Jani veer, 
It grows the worse for't all the year. 
On Candlemas-day, throw candle and candlestick away. 
Ail the months in the year, curse a fair February. 
March in January, January in 'larch I fear. 
March winds and May sun, make clothes white and maids 

dun. 
April showers bring forth May flowers. 
When April blows his horn, it's good both for hay and 

corn. 
April and May are the key of the whole year. 
A hot May, a fat church yard. 
September biow f soft, till the fruit's in the loft. 
Good October a good blast, 
To blow the hog acorn and mast. 
November take flail, let ships no more sail. 
W^hen the wind is in the West, 
The weather is at the best ; 
When the wind is in the East, 
It is good for neither man nor beast ; 
When the wind is in the South, 
It blows the bait into the fishes 5 mouth. 
No weather is ill, if the wind be stiu. 
Drought never bred dearth in England. 
A just observation, when applied to our " weeping climate ;" 
for though in such years the straw be short, the grain is 
good and hearty. 

An evening red, and a morning gray, is a sign of a fair day. 
The French say, " Le rouge soir.etblanc matin, fontrejouir 



130 HUSBANDRY AND WEATHER. 

le pelerin." A red evening and a white morning rejoice 
the pilgrim. A proverb I have never observed to fail. ' 
After a famine in the stall, 
Comes a famine in the hall. — Somersetshire. 

As the days lengthen, so the cold strengthens. 

This rule in gardening never forget : — 
" To sow dry and set wet." 

Good husbandry is good divinity. Italian. 

Cairn weather in June, sets corn in tune. 

If the first of July be rainy weather, 

'Twill rain more or less for forty days together. 

By the correction of the calendar, in the reign of George II. 
St. Swithin's day is the fifteenth of July. This circum- 
stance afforded much amusement to Horace Walpole, 
who used to ridicule the soothsayers and observers of par- 
ticular days , saying it was not likely that St. Swithin, or 
any other Saint, would accomodate themselves to English 
acts of parliament. With the exception, however, of the 
present year, St. Swithin has rarely failed in his annual 
libation. The origin of the proverb is a monkish legend. 
In the year 865, St. Swithin, Bishop of Winchester, to 
which rank he was raised by King Ethelwolfe the Dane, 
dying, he was canonized by die Pope. He was singular 
for desiring to be buried in the oppn church-yard, and not 
in the chancel of the minister, as was ujsual with other 
bishops, which request was complied with , but the monks, 
on his being canonized,taking it into their 1 head that it was 
disgraceful for the Saint to be in the open church-yard, re- 
solved to move his body into the choir, which was to be 
done, with solemn procession, on the fifteenth of July. It 
rained, however so violently on that day, and for forty days 
succeeding, as had hardly ever been known, which made 
them set aside their design as heretical and blasphemous ; 
and instead, they erected a chapel over his. grave, at which 
many miracles are said to have been wrought. 

A dry summer ne'er made a dear peck..- Scotch. 
Corn and horn go together: when corn is cheap, cattle 
are not dear. 

A cherry year — a merry year, 

A plum year — a dumb year. 

The third of April, 

Comes in the cuckoo and nightingale. 
A long harvest and little corn. 
Sow wheat in dirt, and rye in dust. 



HUSBANDRY AND WEATHER. 

A bushel of March dust is a thing, 
Worth the ransom of a king. 

England, consisting chiefly of clay land, a dry March makes 
them bear abundant crops of corn ; therefore, if in that 
month the weather is so dry as to make the roads dusty, 
the country will be benefited to the amount of a king's 
ransom, which is no great sum, if jt do not exceed that 

faid to the Emperor of Germany for the ransom of Richard 
. — namely, one hundred thousand pounds. 
W n' r never rots in the sky. 
No egins in the nor e-manger. 

If oats fail, there is generally a bad crop of every other sort 
of grain : but the saying was more strictly true, when oat- 
meal was more generally the food of the lower classes in 
England. 

So many mists in March you see, 
. So many frosts in May will be. 
Change of weather is the discourse of fools. 
A snow year, a rich year. — Italian* 

When the fern is as high as a spoon, 
You may sleep an hour at noon. 

'Till St. James' day be come and gone. 
You may have hops, or you may have none. 
Ride a horse and a mare on^the shoulders; an ass and a 

mule on the buttocks. — Spanish. 
If the partridge had but the woodcock's thigh, 
It would be the best bird that ever did fly. 
At Twelfth Day, the days are lengthened a cock's stride. 
Make the vine poor, and it will make you rich. 
Prune off the branches. 
A field requires three things ; fair weather, good seed, and 

a good husbandman. — Italian. 
Set trees poor, and they will grow rich ; set them rich, and 

they will grow poor. 

Remove them always out of a barren, into a more fertile soil 
the contrary would be like a man passing from a rich to a 
poor diet, under which he would soon exhibit a very meagre 
appearance. 



ENGLISH LOCAL PROVERB.- 

A. 
A Plymouth cloak.— -Devonshire, 

A bludgeon, walking stick, or staff; tfee usual cloak or grea's 
i coat of a sailor. As Plymouth is chiefly inhabited by sea- 
fairing persons, the proverb has been fathered on that place, 
though it belongs as much to Portsmouth, Hull, Chatham! 
or any other sea-port. 

As mad as the baiting bull of Stamford. — Lincolnshire. 

William, Earl Warren, lord of this town in the time of Kin* 
John, standing upon the walls of the castle at Stamford" 
saw two bulls m the meadow fighting for a cow, till all the 
butchers' dogs pursued one of them, maddened by the noise 
and multitude, quite through the town. This light so plea- 
sed the Earl, that he gave all those meadows calledfthe castle 
medaows, where first this bull-duel began, for a common 
to the bucthers of the town (after the firstgrass was eaten),, 
on condition they annually find a mad bull to be baited 
the day six weeks before Christmas-day. 

A Barnwell ague. — Cambridgeshire. 

A nameless disease. Barnwell is a villiage near Cambridge,, 
famous for the residence of ladies of pleasure, attending 
the University. — Grose. 

A Lambeth doctor.— Surrey. 

The Archbishop of Canterbury has, it, is said, the power of 
conferring the degree of Doctor of Divinity; this was some- 
times done as a matter of favour, without examination : like 
the honours occasionally conferred by some of the North- 
ern Universities. 

As wise as a man of Gotham Nottinghamshire. 

Gotham lies in the south-west angle of Nottinghamshire, and 
is noted for notling so much as the story of its wise men, 
who attempted to hedge in the cukoo. At Court-hill, in this 
parish, Grose says, there is a bush; that still bears the 
name of cuckoo-bush ; and there is an ancient book full of 
the blunders of the Gothamites. Whence a man of Gotham 
is periphrasis for a simpleton. 

A cockney. —London. 

A very ancient nick-narno for a eitizeri of London. Ray lays 



ENGLISH LOCAL PROVERBS. 133 

an interpretation of it is, a young person coaxed, or cock- 
ered, delicately brought up, so as to be unable to bear the 
least hardship. Another, a person ignorant of the terms 
of rural economy ; such as a young citizen, who, having 
been ridiculed for calling the neighing of a horse, laugh" 
ing, and told that was called neighing, nest morning, to 
show instruction was not thrown away upon him, exclaim- 
ed, how that cock neighs ! whence the citizens of London 
have ever since been called cock-neighs, or cockneys. 
Arch-deacon Nares, in his " Glossary," derives the term 
from cookery. Le pais de cocagne, in French, means a coun- 
try of good'cheer : in old French, coquaine. Coca^na,'m 
Italian, has the same meaning. Both might be derived 
from Coquina; the famous country described by Balthazar 
Bonifacius, " where the hills were made of sugar candy !' 7 
The cockney mentioned by Shakspeare, appears to have 
been a cook, as she was making a pie. 
" Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the eels, when she 
put them into the paste alive/'— Lear ii 4. 
Yet it appears to denote simplicity, since the fool adds, — 
" 'Twas her brother, that in pure kindness to his horse, 
buttered his hay." 
Whatever may be the origin of this term, we at least learii 
from the following verse, attributed to Hugh Bigot, Earl of 
Norfolk, that it was in use in the time of King Henry IL 
" Was I in my castle at Bungay, 
Fast by the river Waveney, 
I would not care for the king of Cockney :** 
t. e. the king of London. 
The King of the Cocknies occurs among the regulations for 
the sports and shows formerly held in the middle Temple, 
on Childermas-day, when he had his officers, a marshal], 
constable, &c. 

A man of Kent. 

All the inhabitants of Kent, east of the river Medway, are 
called " M?n of Kent/' from the story of their having re- 
tained their ancient privileges, particularly those of gavel- 
kind, by meeting William the Conqueror, at Swanscomb- 
bottom ; each man, besides his arms, carrying a green 
bough in his hand : by this mean3 concealing their num- 
bers, under the appearance of a moving wood. The rest of 
the inhabitants of the county are stiled " Kentish-men. n 

A Yorkshire way-bit. 

it should be a v;ee hit; wee, in the Yorkshire and northern 

dialects, signifies little. It means an over-plus, not account- 

n the reckoning, which sometirpps r>yoy?s ?5 !T: vr,r r, ~' 



134 ENGLISH LOCAL PROVERBS. 

all the rest. Ask a countryman in Yorkshire the distance 
to a particular place, his answer will generally be — so ma- 
ny miles and a wee-bit ; which wee-bit is often larger than 
the miles reckoned. 

" He hath but a little wee face, with a little yellow beard." 
Merry Wives of Windsor 1. 4. 
As fine as Kerton on Credinton spinning. — Devonshire, 
As a proof of the fineness of Crediton spinning, it is related 
that one hundred and forty threads of woolen yarn, spun 
in that town> were drawn together through the eye of a 
tailor's needle ; which needle and threads were to be seen 
for many years in Watling-street, London, in the shop of 
one Dusscombe, at the sign of the Golden Bottle. The 
discoveries, however, of Watt, and Ark-wright, have ena- 
bled the manufactures of the present day far to excel an- 
cient Crediton in the fineness of spinning. 

All goeth down Gutter-Lane. — London, 

The right spelling is Gurihurn-lane, a place formerly inha- 
bited by goldbeaters, and leading out of Cheapside, east of 
Foster-lane. The proverb is applied to those who spend 
all in drunkenness and gluttony; mere " belly gods :" Gut- 
ter being Latin for the throat. 

A Welch bait.— -Welch. 

A short stop, but no refreshment. Such baits are frequently 
given by the natives of the principality to their keffels, or 
horses, particularly after climbing a hill. 

A Scarborough warning. — Yorkshire. 

That is — none at all, but a sudden surprise. _ Alluding to an 
event in 1557 ; when Thomas Stafford seized on Scarbo- 
rough Castle, before the townsmen had the least notice of 
his approach. 

A Kent-street dstress. — Surrey. 

A mode of distress formerly practised on the poor inhabi- 
tants oT Kent-street ; on non-payment, the rent-collectors 
took away the doors of the defaulters. 

As iauie as St. Giles Crjpplegate, — London. 

St. Giles. was by birth an Athenian, of noble extraction and 
great estate: becoming lame he, for his greater mortifica- 
tion, refused to be cured. He is deemed the patron of 
cripples, and his churches are mostly in the suburbs. Crip- 
plegate was so called before the Conquest, from cripples 
begging there, for which they plead custom, from the time 
the lame man begged alms of Peter and John, at the gate of 
the^Temple. 



ENGLISH LOCAL PROVERBS. 135 

A Scottish-man, and a Newcastle grindstone, travel all 
the world over. — Northumberland. 

All Ilchester is gaol. — Somersetshire. 

Intimating that the people of the town are as hard-hearted 
as their gaoler ; an imputation falsified by some recent 
transactions. 

A 'squire of Alsatia. — London. 

A spendthrift, or sharper, inhabiting places formerly privi» 
leged from arrests. Such were White-Friars, and the 
Mint, in Southwark ; the former called Upper, the latter, 
Lower Aisatia. Sir Walter Scott has perpetuated the me- 
mory of these once noted places, in his " Fortunes of Ni- 
gel.'' 

A Drury-lane vestal. — London. 

A London Jury ; hang half, and save half. — London. 

This was intended to reflect on the tender mercies of a Lon- ' 
don Jury, as aiming at more despatch than justice, and ac- 
quitting half and hanging half. Such a mode of adminis- 
tering justice, however, has greatly changed, as any one 
may satisfy himself by an hour's attendance at the Old 
Bailey. 

A knight of Cales, a gentleman of Wales, and a laird of 

the North Countree; 
A yeoman of Kent, with his yearly rent, will buy them 

out all three.- — Kent. 

The knights of Cales were made by Robert Earl of Essex, A. 
D. 1596, to the number of sixty ; many of whom were 
of slender fortunes, though of great birth. The Northern 
lairds, and the numerousness and penury of Welch 
gentlemen, need no illustration. Yeomen were indepen- 
dent farmers, occupying their own land, killing their own 
mutton, and wearing the fleeces of their own sheep, spun 
in their houses. Those of Kent were famous for their riches. 
B. 

Bristol-milk. — Somersetshire. 

That is — sherry, a Spanish white wine. The true name of 
this wine is aherris, which it derives from Xeres, a town 
in the province of Andalusia, where it is made. 

Banbury veal, cheese, and cakes. — Oxfordshire. 

The cheese of this place was remarkable for its richness and 
fineness, so long back as the time of Shakspeare, who makes 
one of his characters in Henry IV. call Falstaff, a " Ban- 
bury cheese." Banbury cakes are also excellent, as well 
veal. 



136 ENGLISH LOCAL PROVERBS. 

C. 

Canterbury is the higher rack, but Winchester is the bet- 
ter manger. — Hampshire. 

Edington, Bishop of Winchester, was the author of this say- 
ing, rendering it the reason of his refusal to be remoredto 
Canterbury, though preferred thereto. For though Can- 
terbury be graced with a higher honour, ^Winchester is 
the wealthier see. 

Cantabridgia petit (equates^ or cequalia. 

That is, as Fuller expounds it, either in respect of their com" 
mons, all of the same mess having equal share ; or in re - 
spect of extraordinaries, they all club alike ; or in respec^ 
of degree, all of the same degree being '* fellows well met, 5 ' 

Congleton bears. — Cheshire. 

Some years ago, the clerk of Congleton having taken the old 
church Bible, or had it given to him, as his perquisite, 3old 
it to buy a bear, in order to bait him. From this, as the 
story tells, proceeds the name of Congleton bears ; which 
will presently set the town about his ears, if a stranger hap- 
pen to mention it. 

D. 

Deal, Dover, and Harwich, 

The Devil gave with his daughter in marriage ; 

And, by a codicil to his will, 

He added Helvoet and the Brill. — Kent, 

A satirical squib thrown at the inkeepers of these places, in 
return for the many impositions practised on travellers, as 
well natives as strangers. — Applicable to most sea ports. 

Dover-court, all speakers and no hearers. — Essex. 

Dover-court is a village about three miles west of Harwicl 
to which its church is the mother church. Here a court is 
annually held, which, as it consists chiefly of seamen, th. 
irregularity described in the proverb is likely to prevail. 

E 

Klden hole wants filling. — Derbyshire. 
Said of a great liar who boasts of his wonderful exploits. 
Essex lions. 

Calves, great numbers of which are brought alive in carts to 
the London market, 



, 



ENGLISH LOCAL PROVERB?. 



hang and draw, 
Then hear the cause by Lidford law. — Devonshire. 

Lidford is a little and poor, but ancient corporation, in Devon- 
shire with large privilege!-, where a court of Stannaries 
was formerly kept. The proverb is supposed to allude to 
some absurd determination made by the Mayor and Cor- 
poration, who were formerly but mean and illiterate per- 
sons. 

". I oft have beard of Lydford law, 

How in the morning they fcang and draw, 

And git in judgment after ; 
At first I wondered at it much, 
But since I tynd the reason such 
As yt deserves no laughter. " 

Vide Wtstcot's History of Devonshire-, 

Grantham gruel ; nine grit3 and a gallon of water. — Lin- 
co 'nshire. 

Poor gruel, indeed ! bearing very hard on the liberality of the 
good people of Grantham. 

Go to Rumford, to have your buttocks new bottomed. — 

1 was famous for breaches making ; and a 
H, was thus jocosely advised to pro* 
viae bim if new breeches. 

Go to Battersfcu. he simples. — London. 

The origin of this sa> i pplied to people not over- 

stocked with wit ? appeu. formerly, the Lon- 

don apothecaries used to nriu -rsion to Bat- 

iersea, to see the medicinal her = •?. which 

abounded in the neighbourhood, cue er season. 

Hence, it became proverbial to tell a foou ■: ■ m to go to. 
Battersea to be cut for a simple, the equivoque -eing on the 
word simple, alias simpleton. 

H. 

He has the Newcastle burr in his throat. — Northumber- 
land. 

The people of Newcastle, Morpeth, and their environs, have 
a guttural pronunciation like that called in Leicestershire 
warling, none of them being able to pronounce the letter R. 

12* 



ENGLISH LOCAL PROVERBS, 

Hertfordshire clubs, and clouted shoon. 

An ancient fling at the rusticity of Hertfordshire yeomen 
and farmers. Club is an old term of a booby. Clouted 
shoon is part of the dress of a husbandman and farmer : 
and ; as Fuller observes, being worn by the tenants, ena- 
bles their landlords to weCr Spanish leather boots and 
pumps ! 

He has been sworn at Highgate. — Middlesex 

Alluding to an ancient custom, formerly observed in this vil- 
lage, when the landlord of the Horns, and other public 
houses, used to swear all the lower order of passengers, up- 
on a pair of horns stuck on a stick. The substance of their 
oath was, that they should not kiss the maid when they could 
kiss the mistress : nor drink small beer, when they could 
get strong : with divers like prohibitions ; to all of which 
was the saving clause of— unless you like her, or it, best. 

He is only fit for Ruffian's hall. — London, 

West Smithfield, now the horse-market, was formerly called 
Ruffian's hall, where bullies and fighters met casually, and 
otherwise, to try masteries with sword and buckler. 
<l More," says Fuller, " were frighted than hurt, hurt than 
killed, therewith ; it being accounted unmanly to strike be- 
neath the knee." 

He was born within the sound of Bow-bell.* — London. '* 

He is esteemed a cockney who is born withi: 
bell at Bow-church. Stow informs * 
John Dunn, gave two tenements to m 
Bow-bell, every night at nine 
apprentices and servants to 1 

He has studied at Wb**' — London. 

_ute, which was rebuilt A, 



of Sir Richard Wittington. 



That is, has beer* 
D. 1423, rc 
by hi? 

Hem • uvt-stone.— Devonshire. 

A say* me who is master of his wife. Mort-stone is a 

huge rccK that blocks up the entrance into Mort's bay in 
this county, which, it is fabled, cannot be removed but by 
a man thoroughly master of his wife. 

He is summoned before the mayor of Halgaver.—- Corv; - 
wall. 

A jocular and imaginary court, before which such persons 
are presented, as are dirty and slovenly in their dress : 
where judgment, in formal terms, is given against tnem s 
and execute/] more in derision than hurt of their person,*. 




ENGLISH LOCAL PROVERBS. 139 

lie looks us if he had lived on Tewksbury mustard.—- 

Gloucestershire. 
Tewksbury is famous for the hot and biting qualities of its 

mustard ; and any peevish or snappish person, or one ha-; 

vinga eross, fierce ; or ill-natured countenance; is supposed 

to have lived upon it. 
He is driving his hogs over Swarston bridge. —Derbyshire. 

Said when a man snores in his sleep. In the West Riding 
of Yorkshire ; they say ; "He is driving his pigs to market. 5 ' 

I. J. 

If Skid daw hath a cap, 

Scruffel wots full well of that. — Cumberland. 

These are two high hills, one in England and one in Scot- 
land, so near, that what happens to one will not be long 
ere it reach the other : if one be capped with clouds and 
mists, it will not be Jon^ ere it rains on the other. Hence, 
certain mutual sympathies between the two countries were 
deduced; so that when Scotland, in the last century felt 
its allegiance to England doubtful; and the French sent an 
expedition there, this saying was revived; to show the iden- 
tity of interest between both nations. 

F Poole was a fish-pool, and the men of Poole, fish : 

^herexl be a pool for the devil, and fish for his dish— 
Dorsetshire. 

Vhen this satirical distich was written, Poole was not that 
place of trade and respectability it now is. 

ohn Bull. — Passim. 

i name often applied to the English nation, from a supposed 
resemblance between the useful and sturdy qualities of the 
people of England and a well-known animal. It was first 
used by Dean Swift, in his satirical history of Europe, un- 
der which appellation Englishmen are ludicrously personi- 
fied. 

L 

Lancashire witches. 

!o called from the bewitching charms of the fair dames in 
Lancashire; for which they have been celebrated for centu- 
ries. 

,ike Banbury tinkers, that in mending one hole make 
three.— JYortkamptonshtr<> 



ENGLISH LGCAL PROVERBS 

M. 

Me&sters Yorkshire too. — Middlesex. 

Kounded on the well-known story of the Yorkshire ho? 
O. 

Oxford knives, London wives. — Oxfordshire. 

Ironically insinuating that their appearance exceeds their 
real worth ; that the Oxford knives were better to look at 
than to cut with, and that the London wives had more beau- 
ty hnd good-breeding than housewifely qualities. 

P. 

Haddington Fair.' — London. 

An execution at Tyburn ; which place is in or near the pa- 
rish of Paddington. 

Putney.— Surrey. 

According to vulgar tradition, says Grose, the churches of 
Putney and Fulham were built by two sisters, who had 
but one hammer between them, which they interchanged 
by throwing it across the river, on a word agreed between 
tliem ; those on the Surrey side made use of the word Put- 
it-nigh! those on the opposite shore, Heave it full-hoivr 
whence the churches,. and from them the viUages, wer 
called Put-nigh and Full-home, since corrupted to Putnr 
and Fulham. 

S. 

She hath given Lawton gate a clap. — CJieshire. 

Said of one with child, and going to London to conceal it 
Lawton is the way to London from several parts of Che 
shsre. 

Stabbed with a Bridport dagger. — Dorsetshire. 

Xhat is, hanged. A great quantity of hemp is grown abon 
this town ; and, on account of its superior qualities, Fulle 
says, there was an ancient statute, now disused, that tht 
cables for the royainavy should be made thereabouts. 

St Giles's breed ; fat, ragged, and saucy.— London. 

Ragged and saucy the inhabitants of this parish still are. bit 
their embonpoint has vanished in " blue ruin." 

Stopford law ; no stake no draw.-— Cheshire. 

•Such only as contribute to the liquor, are, expected to drink 
' Applied also to wagers, when, if nothing is staked or pin 
Sown, nothing is allowed to be taken wp. 



ENGLISH LOCAL PROVERBS, U) 

T, 

The nun of Sion with the friar of Sheen. — London. 

Although the river Thames runs between these two monaste- 
ries, it is a tradition, the above holy personages had a love 
affair, by means of a tunnel or subterraneous communica- 
tion. 

To take Hector's cloak. — Northumberland. 

That is, to deceive a friend who confides in his fidelity. When 
Thomas Percy, Earl of Northumberland, was defeated in 
the rebellion he had raised against Queeen Elizabeth, he 
hid himself in the house of one Hector Armstrong, having 
confidence he would be true to him ; who, notwithstanding, 
for money betrayed him to the regent of Scotland. 

The fire of London was a punishment for gluttony . — ■ 
London. 

It/ ^gan in Pudding-lane, and ended in Pie-corner i 

Tb- Isle of Wight, hath no monks, no lawyers, nor foxes. 
- — Ha?np shire. 

A proverb with more mirth than truth in it. The remains of 
the monasteries of the black monks at Carisbrook, and 
white ones at Quarrer, confute one part of the saying. 
il Indeed," as Grose observes, " that there should be a 
fertile, healthy, and pleasant spot, without monks : a rich 
place without lawyers ; and a country abounding with 
lambs, without foxes ; is evidently an improbability. V 

The Covent-garden ague. — London. 

Many brothels, under the denomination of bagnios, were 
formerly kept in this parish — some, it is said, are still re- 
maining. 

To give one a Cornish hug. — Cornwall. 

A Cornish hug is a lock in the art of wrestling, peculiar to 
the Cornish men, who have always been famous for then- 
skill in that manly exercise. 

The mayor of Northampton opens oysters with his dag- 
ger. 

To keep them as far as possible from his nose. Northamp- 
ton being eighty miles from the sea, the oysters brought 
thither, before the improvement of turnpike roads, were 
generally stale. 

The Vicar of Bray, will be Vicar of Bray stiU.—Berkshire. 

Bray is a well-known village in Berkshire ; the vivacious vi- 
car of Which, living under Henrv VIII. Queen Mary, and 




l4St ENGLISH LOCAL PROVERBS. 

Queen Elizabeth, was first a papist, then a protestant ; 
then a.papist, and then a protestant again. Being taxed 
for a turncoat ; " Not so," said he, " for I always kept my 
principle ; which is this, to live and die Vicar of Bray v 9 
To this, Fuller adds a sentence, which has not yet lost its 
application. i{ Such are men noW-a-days," says he " who 
though they cannot turn the wind, they turn their mills 
and set them so, that wheresoever it bloweih, their grain 
should certainly be grinded. " 

This is the way -to BeggarVbush. — Huntingdonshire. 

Applied to persons leading dissolute and improvident lives, 
teiidin-> to poverty. Beggar's bush being a tree formerly 
known on the left hand of the London road, from Hunting- 
don to Caston. This punning adage is said to be of royal 
origin ; applied by king James I., to Sir Francis Baeod, 
he having over-generously rewarded a poor man for a tri- 
fling present. 

They may claim the bacon at Dunmow. — Essex. 

Alluding to the well-known custom, instituted in the manov 
of Little Dunraow, in Essex, by Lord Fitzwalter, who lived 
in the reiern of Henry III. which was. that any wedded 
couple, who, after being married a year and a day, would 
come to the priory, and kneeling on two sharp-pointed 
stones, before the prior and 'convent, sw v ear, that, during 
that time, they had neither repented of their bargain, nor 
Jiad any dissension, should have a gammon of bacon. The 
.record mentions several persons who claimed and received 
it; the last 1 find mentioned is, A. D. 1764, when Mr. and 
Mrs. Liddal, of the Green Dragon, Harrowgate, took the 
flitch of bacon oath. The custom ceased either for want 
of bacon or claimants. ** 

To Denshire, or \o Devonshire land. — Devonshire. 

To pare the turf from off the surface, and lay it in heaps and 
burn it; the ashes have been found greatly to enrich bar- 
ren land b}' means of the salt they contain. It was pro- 
bably first practised in Devonshire* it is now general on 
barren spongy lands throughout England, previous to 
ploughing. 

"The same again," quoth Mark, of Bell-grave. — Leices- 
tershire* 

Alluding to an ancient milita-officer in Queen Elizabeth's 
time, who, exercising his company before the lord lieuten- 
ant, was so abashed, that after giving the first word of 
command he could recollect no more ; hut repeated! y of- 
. r\ them to do the same again ' 



ENGUSH LOCAL PROVERBS. 143 

weavers beef of Colchester. — Essex. 

That is, sprats, caught thereabouts, and brought there in in- 
credible abundance ; ■ whereon the poor are frequently 
fed. — Grose. 

The devil will not come into Cornwall for fear of being* 
put into a pie,— Cornwall. 

The people of Cornwall make pies of almost every eatable, 
as squab-pie, herby-pie, pilchard-pie, muggetty pie, &c. 

The mayor of Altrin^ham lies in bed while his breeches 
are mending. — Ckesiiire. 

As the mayor of every other town must do if he have but 
one pair, as was said to be the case with this worshipful 
magistrate. 

Tenterden steeple's the cause of Goodwin sands. — Kerf. 

Used when an absurd reason is given for any thing in ques* 
fion ; the origin of which is differently explained. One 
account says, an old man being asked the cause of the ri- 
sing of this sand, said, that he remembered the building 
of Tenterden steeple, and that, before it was built, there 
was no talk of any flats or sands stopping up the haven ; 
therefore Tenterden steeple was the cause of the destruc- 
tion of Sandwich harbour. In this he was right, had hs 
been allowed to finish his explanation. Time out of mind 
money Was collected in the county to bank out the sea, 
deposited in the hands of the bishop of Rochester ; 
but the sea having been quiet for many years, the bishop 
applied the money to the building of a steeple, and endow- 
ing the church of Tenterden By this diversion of the 
funds, the sea afterwards broke in. overflowing Eari Good- 
win's lands. So that, by a certain figure of speech, Ten- 
terden steeple was the cause of Goodwin sands. 

The visible church ; or Harrow-on-the-Hill, — Middlesex. 

King Charles the Second, speaking on the topic then much 
agitated • mong divines of different p°rsuasions, namely , 
which was the visible church, gave it in favour of Harrow- 
on-the-Hill; which, he said lie always saw, go where he 
would. 

w. 

Weeping Cross, 

Archdeacon Nares says, he has found three places so called, 

*nd probably there are more: these crosses being places; 

where penitents particularly offered their devotions* Of 

three places now retaining the name, one is between 

I Banbury : the second near Stafford, where the 



Ii4 LiNGLISH LOCAL PROVERBS; 

road turns off to Walsall ; the third, near Shrewsbury. 
To return by Weeping Cross was proverbial for deeply la 
menting an undertaking, and repenting of it ; like many 
other allusions to local names. 

" He that goes out with often losse, 

At last comes home by Weeping Crosse/ 7 

Howell's English Proverbs. 
Welch ambassador. 

A jocular name for the cuckoo, probably from its migrating 

hither from Wales. 

" Thy sound is like the cuckoo, the Welch ambassador ." 
Trick to Catch, Act iv. 
Wellington round-head. — Somersetshire. 

Proverbial formerly in Taunton, for a violent parliamenta- 
rian, and the town now gives the ducal title to a celebra- 
brated Tory general. 

When the daughter is stolen,.shut Pepper Gate.- Cheshire, 

Pepper Gate was formerly a postern on the east side of the 
city of Chester. The mayor of the city having his daugh- 
ter stolen away by a young man, through the gate, whilst 
she was playing at ball with the other maidens, his wor- 
ship, out of revenge, caused it to be closed up. 

Wiltshire Moon-raker. — Wiltshire. 

Some Wiltshire clowns, as the story goes ; seing the moon in 
a pond, attemped to rake it out. 

When do you fetch the five pounds ? — Dorsetshire. 

A gibe at the Poolites. A rich merchant of Poole is said to 
have left five pounds, to be given every year, to set up any 
man, who had served his apprenticeship in that town, on 
condition, that he should produce a certificate of his hones- 
ty, properly authenticated. The bequest, it is said, has not 
yet been claimed, and it is a common water joke to ask the 
crew of a Poole ship' " Whether any one has yet received 
the five pounds ?" 

Y. 

You were born at Hogs-Norton • — Oxfordshire. 

-'properly," says Ray, •' called Hoch Norton/ 7 but it is now 
Hook Norton : a village, whose inhabitants were so rustica! 
in their behaviour, that clownish and boorish people were 

' said to be be born there. 

You rtre all for the Hoistings, or Hustjngs^Lowd 



FAMILIAR PHRASES, &c. 143 

That is, yon all want to be rulers. The Court of Hustings is 
a principal court in the city of London. It is so named 
from being hoisted or elevated above the common level. 
—Grose. 



FAMILIAR PHRASES, SIM1LIES, PROVERBIAL 
RHVMES, AND OLD SAWS, 



He ha9 given him the bag to hold. 

Your belly chime", it's time to go to dinner, 

A blot in his escutcheon. 

He's in clover. 

In easy circumstances. * 

A Ha p^hire hog. 

A jocular expression for a Hampshire man ; Hampshire beiag 
famous for a fine breed of hogs, and the excellency of the 
bacon made there. 

A curtain lecture. 

Welch cousin.-— JVekh. 

A relation far removed : the Welch are great genalogists, and 
it is a sorry pedigree among them ; that does not reach at 
least to Noah. 

Cream- pot love. 

Such as young fellows pretend to dairy-maids, to get cream 

and other good things from them. 
For want of company, welcome trumpery I 
That's the cream of the Jest. 
A clinker. 

An inhabitant of the Mint or Clink, formerly a place privile= 
ged from arrests : the receptacle of knaves and sharpers of 
all sorts. 

To give one the go-by. 

A good fellow lights his candle at both ends, 

A horse kiss. 

A rude kiss. 

Neither lead nor drive. 



14(5 FAMILIAR- PR9VERBS, fee 

An old ewe dressed lamb fashion. 

Applied to old women, when they affect the airs and dress of 

young people. 
He has given him leg bail. 
It is a lightening before death. 

Generally observed of sick persons, a little before they die, 
A king Harry's face. 
You'd do well in Lubber land, where they have half a 

crown a-day for sleeping. 
To look like an owl in an ivy-bush. 
To find a mare's nest. 
To catch a Tartar. 
To come in pudding time. 
To go like a bear to a stake. 
To have the world in a string. 
To mal^e a mountain of a mole-hill. 
Bilinglgate language. 
Such language as the fish wives and other rude people wh» 

flock to this celebrated mart use when they fall out, 
To nourish a viper in one's bosom. 
To pay one in his own, coin. 
You have eaten some Hull cheese. 
Got drunk. 

To rock the cradle in spectacles. 
To run a wild-goose chase. 
To seek a needle in a bottle of hay. 
Jack roast beef. 

A jocular name given , by the French to the English, whom 
the former suppose cannot live without roast beef, plum 
pudding, porter and punch. 

To leave no stone unturned. 

They are hand and glove. 

To take the wrong sow by the ear. 

The gallows groans for you. 

A handsome bodied man in the face. 

The grey mare is the better horse. 

Touch pot, touch penny. 

To pocket an injury. 

-Tis sooner said than done. 

Of all- tame beasts I hate s 



FAMILIAR PHRASES, &c. W 

Veai will be cheap : calves fall. 

A jeer for those who lose the calves of their legs. 

He looks as angry as if he was vexed. — Irish, 

A Scotch warming-pan. 

A wench. In explanation of this phrase, Ray has the follow- 
ing note ; " The story is well known of the gentleman tra- 
velling in Scotland who desiring to have his bed warmed the 
servant-maid doffs her clothes, and lays herself down in it 
awhile. In Scotland they have neither bellows, warming- 
pan, nor houses of office." — Edition, 1768, p 65. It is hard- 
ly necessary to remark, that the state of things on the other 
side of the Tweed has greatly improved since the time of 
Ray, and that Scotland is now distinguished for refinement 
and delicacy — its capital even styled the u modern Ath- 
ens." 

A Welch ejectments- Welch* 

A legal process, by which an obnoxious tenant is driven out 
by taking off the doors, windows, roof, &c. 

The fragrance of sanctity. — Spanish. 

Water bewitched. 

Small beer- 
He has been in the sun. 

Got drunk. 

That was laid on with a trowel. 

A great He. 

He's blown up. 

A bankrupt 

She's like a cat she'll play with her tail. 

He'll dress an e^g, and give the offal to the peer. 

To bear away the bell. 

A golden bell was formerly the prise -of victory at races and 
other sports. 

The belly thinks the throat cut 
To bite upon the bridle. 
Welchman's Hose, 

According to Archdeacon Nares*, is equivalent to the breeches 
of a Highlander, or the dress of a naked Pict ; upon the 
esumj>tiou *ha£ IVetehmen wear po hose 



! 



X4* FAMILIAR PHRASES; &e. 

" The laws we did interpret, and statutes of the 1'ancF,. 
Not truly by the text, but pewly by a glose : 
And words that were most plaine, when they by us %ere 
skan'd, 

We turned by construction to a Welchmatfs hose." 

Mirror for Magistrates. 
To wash a blackamoor white. 
Blindman's holiday. 
To come bluely off. 
He is true blue, he'll never stain. 

Coventry had formerly the reputation for dying blues s© 
much, that true blue came to be a proverb signifying one that 
is always the same. Blue was formely a colour appropria- 
tedto the dresses of servants and persons in low life : 

e You proud varlets, you need not be ashamed to wear blue 
when your master is one of your fellows." — 

Honest Whore, 

It was also the colour of beadles ; whence they came in for the 
appelation of blue-bottle. It ig now applied to a certain par- 
ty in politics. 

To out-ran the constable. 

To run in debt. 

There is a bone for you to pick. 

The fire-side bottle. — Gaelic. 

He knows which side his bread is buttered. 

His eyes are like two burnt holes in a blanket. — Irish, 

A Cuckold. 

Dr. Johnson, Home Tooke, Tood, and Archdeacon Nares ? 
seem to agree in deriving this word from cuckoo ; but, as 
Howel remarked two centuries ago, it more properly belongs 
to the adulterer, the cuckoo being well known to be a bird 
that deposits its eggs in other birds' nests The Romans 
used culullus in its proper sense as adulterer, calling, with 
equal propriety, the cuckold himself carruca, or " hedge- 
sparrow," which bird is known to adopt the other's spuri- 
ous offspring. In French German, and Italian, the name of 
cuckoo has evidently been arrived from the uniformity of its 
note ; and in all these languages it is applied, in the same 
reproachful sense, to one whose wife has been unfaithfuh 
Snakspeare says, 

— — « There have been, 

Or I am much deceiv'd, cuckolds ere now ; 
And many a man there is, ev'n at this present, 
Now while I speak this, holds his wife by the arm, 
That little thinks she has been sluic'd in's absence." 



^MILIAR PHRASES; & 149 

-.i fortunate class of mortals are unhappy two ways; first, 
thev are branded with an" appellation which clearly do*es not 
belong to them , secondly, they have to bear, without re- 
dress, (except occasionally a little solid Diiddingin the shape 
of damages) the scorn and infamy of a crime which others 
have comitted. 

*"' Ever since the reign of Kin % diaries [I." say? Swift, 
'* the alderman is made a cuckold, the deluded virgin is de- 
bauched, and adultery and fornication are committed be- 
hind the scenes. 7 ' 

His bread is buttered on both sides. 

A chip of the old block. 

He's in the cloth market, 

In bed. 

To carry coals tc Newcastle. 

This common and, one would suppose, local proverb, is quo- 
ted by Disraeli, to show that scarcely any remarkable say- 
ing can be considered national, but that every one has some 
type or correspondent idea in other languages. In this* 
instance, the Persians have, " To carry pepper to Hindos- 
tan ; ; ' the Hebrews, " To carry oil to a city of olives :*' 
which is exactly the same idea, clothed in oriental meta- 
phor. 
To burn day light. 
3Iercutio gives a full explanation of this phrase : 

** Come, we burn daylight, ho!" 

Rom. Nay, that's not so. Merc. I mean, sir, in delay." 
We waste our lights in vain, like lamps by day/ 7 

Rom. and Jul. 1. 4. 

Co work for a dead horse. 
To play the dog in the manger ; not eat yourself, nor let 

another eat. 
A dog's life — hunger and ease. 
To dine with duke Humphrey. 

Those were said to dine with duke Humphrey, who having no 
dinner to eat, walked out the dinner hour in the body ofSt. 
Paul's church, where, it was erroneously believed 4 , the duke 
was buried. The old churh of St.. Paul's was the exchange 
of former times, and a constant place cf resort and amuse- 
ments. Advertisements were fixed up there ; bargains made; 
servants hired, and politics discussed. 

To eat the calf in the cow's belly. 

To make both ends meet. 

Fair plav i3 aiewel ; don't pull my hair. 
13* 



15» FAMILIAR PHRASES, fcc. 

He pins his faith on anotherman's sleeve. 

All is fish that comes to his net. 

The Blackguard. 

Originally a jocular name given to the lowest menials of the 
court, the carriers of coals and wood, turnspits, and la- 
bourers in the scullery, who followed the court in its per- 
ambulations, and thus became observed. Such is the ori- 
gin of this common term, 

I have other fish to fry. 

r Tis a folly to fret ; grief's no comfort. 

Out of the frying-pan into the fire 

Go farther and fare worse. 

He cannot say bo to a goose. 

A rogue in grain. 

It is related that a Welsh curate in the Isle o( *7rain, on the 
borders of Kent, went stark mad, through the force of 
drink, and was sorely teased by his flock ; by the young 
fry, especially. •; Rogues," said the indignant Taffey", 
" are to be found in all parishes, but my parishioners are 
Rog?ies in Grain t" 

You halt before you are lame. 
All bring grist to your mill. 
To live fromhand to mouth. 
I'll pledge you. 

An expression derived from the times when the Danes bore 
sway in England. The old manner of pledging Uvas thus : 
the person who was going to drink, asked the persen wh» 
sat next him if^he would pledge him ? on which, he an- 
swering he would, held up a knife, or sword, to guard him 
whilst he drank : for, such was the reven-geful ferocity of 
the Danes, that they would often stab a native with a knife 
or dagger, while in the act of drinking. From this origi- 
nated the castom of drinking healths. 

A Yorkshire tike. 

A tike here, means a clown. Tike generallyjneans, in the 
Yorkshire dialect, a great eog. 

We don't gather figs from thistles. 

To harp upon the same string. 

Riding the Stang. 

A custom I have often seen practised 'in the North of Eng- 
land, and, in fact, assisted in ; is when a woman has beat- 
en her husband, and one rides upon a stang or loag pole, 
where he proclaims, like a herald, the woman's name, an*? 
the nature of her misdemeanor. 



mm 



FAMILIAR PHRASES, &c. J5I 

Too hasty to be a parish clerk. 

To hit the nail on the head. 

Hobson's choice. 

A man is said to have Hobson's choice, when he must either 
take what is left him, or none at all. Hobson was a noted 
carrier in Cambridge in king James's time, who, by carrying 
and grazing, raised himself to a great estate, and did much 
good in the town, relieving the poor, and building a public 
conduit in the market place. It does not appear how the 
proverb arose ; but, I think, I have read somewhere, it 
originated in the way Hobson le-t out his horses, compel- 
ling bis customers to choose that next to the stable door, 
ana no other. 

To hold with the hare, and run with the hounds. 
By. hook or by crook. 

By one way or another. The phrase is very ancient, and er- 
roseously ascribed to two learned judges in the time of 
Charles I., Hooke and Crooke ; implymg that a difficult 
cause was to be got either by Hooke or Crooke ; by 
Brougham or Scarlet. Warton, however, has shown that 
the phrase is of older date, and occurs twice in Spenser, 
and once in Skelton. 

See, how we apples swim ! \ 

To have a January chick, 

To nave children in old age. 

Give him an inch and he'll take an ell. 

Better known than trusted. 

Help the lame dog over the style. 

He'll go to law for the wagging of a straw. 

He wears the horns. 

The notion of Cuckolds wearing horns prevails through all 
the modern European languages, and is of four or five hun- 
dred years standing. Dr. Burn traces this u crest of cuch* 
oldom" to horns worn, as crests, by those who went to the 
Crusades, as their armorial distinctions, and the infidelity 
of their consorts during their absence ; after the husband 
had been away three or four years, and came home in his 
martial habiliments, it might be no impossible supposition 
that the man who wore the horns was a cuckold. This 
agrees with some of the witticisms in our old Plays : 
" Why, my good fafcher. what should you do with a wife? 
Would you be crested ? Will you needs thrust your head 
In one of Vulcan's helmets ? Will you perforce 
Wear a city cap, and a court feather ? 

Ram Alley, or Merry Tricks, h&ni. 163R 






152 FAMILIAR PHRASES, &c. 

Another conjecture is, that some mean husbands, availing 
themselves of the beauty of their wives, have turned it to 
account by prostituting them, obtaining, by this means, 
the Cornu Copice, or, in the language of modern gallantry, 
tipping the horns with gold ! Shakspeare and Ben Johnson 
seem to have both considered the Horns in this light : 

u Well may he sleep in security, for he hath the horn of 
abundance, and the lightness of his wife shines through it : 
and yet he cannot see, though he hath his own lanthorn to 
light him." 

K. HtJi. IV. 2d Part A. i. Sc. 4. 

u What. ! never sigh, 

Be of good cheer, for thou art a cuckold. 

; Tis done, 'tis done ! nay, when such flowing store, 

Plenty itself, falls in my wife's lap; 

The Cornu Copioe will be mine, I know." 

Every Man in his Humour. A. iii. Sc. 6. 

Another derives the word " horns" from the custom of blow- 
ina* horns in the streets, on occasions of extraordinary 
news, or proclamation made by the sound of trumpets ; 
and supposes the horns are only public opinion, spreading 
abroad the infamy of the husband. 

He looks as if he had neither won nor lost. 

The grey mare is the better horse. 

You measure every one's corn by your own bushel. 

I can see as far into a mill-stone as another man, 

To make a mountain of a mole-hill. 

it will be a nosegay to him as long as he lives. 

It will stink in his nostrils. 

To rip up old sores. 

The lady in the straw. 

An expression signifying the lady brought to bed ; and ac- 
cording to Brand, derived from the circumstance, that all 
beds were anciently stuffed with straw, so that it is synon- 
imous with saying " the lady in bed/ 7 or that is confined ts> 
her bed. 

Penny wise and pound foolish. 

He is put to bed with a shovel :— -i. e. buried. 

She is like a Waterford heifer, beef to the heels. — Irish 

You shall ride an inch behind the tail. 

To rob Peter to pay Paul. 

To have rods in pickle for one. 

Riding Skimmington. 

A ludicrous procession in ridicule of a man beaten by his 
wife. It consists of a man riding behinda woman, wil 



FAMILIAR PHRASES, &c. 

face to the horse's tail, holding a distaff in his hand, at 
which he seems to work, the woman all the while beating 
him with a ladle : a smock, displayed on a distaff, is car- 
ried before them, as an emblematical standard, denoting 
female superiority : the whole accompanied by the matri- 
monial music of bull's horns, frying-pans, marrov,- -bones, 

jfepmd cleavers. Skimmington is the name of an arrant scold, 

^Rfiost probably from some one famous in that line. 

You gather a rod for your own breech. 

To row one way and look another. 

Fair and softly, as lawyers go to heaven. 

To spare at the spigot and let out at the bung-hole. 

Abraham-men, or Tom of Bedlam's men, or Bedlam Be£ 
gars. 

A set of vagabonds wbo wandered about the country soon 
after the dissolution of the religious houses the provision 
for the poor in those days being cut off; and no other sub- 
stituted. Hence, probably, the phrase of shamming Abr** 
ham, still extant among sailors. — Nares's Glossary. 

To sow his wild oats. 

To make a stalking horse. 

To strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. 

You must take the fat wi^h the lean. 

Peter-man. 

In the old plays a familiar term for a fisherman onjthe Thames 

from the occupation of St. Peter. 
A tale of a tub. 
To stand upon thorns. 
Your tongue runs before your wit. 
I would not touch him with a pair of tongs. 
Raw head and Bloody-bones. 

Like Bogle-boe, or other nursery btg-bear, two imaginary 

monsters, used to frighten children*. 
He is up to trap. 

I'll trust him no tarther than I can fling him. 
To kill two birds with one stone. 
To wipe a person's nose. 
To cheat him. 
" 'Sfoot. Lieutenant, will thou suffer thy nose to l>e wip'd uf 

this great heir." — Maij Day. 
To carry two faces under ene hood. 
To have two strings to one's boA 
What wind blew you hither ? 
Ood send you more wit, and me more mosey. 




154 FAMILIAR PHRASES, &c. 

To have the wolf by the ear. 
A man having a doubtful buisiness in hand, which it is equally 
hazardous to pursue or abandon ; as it is to hold, or let go, 
a wolf we have by the ears. 

You cannot see wood for trees. 
She wears the breeches. 

That is, assumes the place and authority of the husband :^p 
u Children rule, old men go to shchool, women wear me 
breeches." Anatomy of Melancholy. 

Words may pass, but blows fall heavy. 
He's Yorkshire. 

The Italians say, " E ; Spoletino." He is of Spoeleto ; he is 
a cunning blade. 

A3 busy as a bee. 

As cold as charity. 

As lazy as Ludham's dog, that leaned hi3 head against a 

wall to bark. 
As mad as a March hare. 
As nice as a nun's hen. 
As plain as a pike-staff. 
As seasonable as snow in summer. 
As deep drinks the goose as the gander. 
As demure as if butter would not melt in her mouth. 
As slender in the middle, as a cow in the waist. 
As spiteful as an old maid. 
As the wind blows, you must set your sail. 
He stands like Mump-hazard, who was hung for saying 

nothing. — Cheshire. 
Like the parson of Saddleworth, who could read in no 

book but his own. — Cheshire. 
As lawless as a town bull. 
As like as two peas. 

As love thinks no evil, so enry speaks no good. 
As nimble as a cow in a cage. 
As often as we do good, we sacrifice. 

As often as thou doest wrorjfe justice has thee on the score. 
As true as the dial to the sun. 

As virtue is its own reward, so vice*is its own punishment. 
As wary as a blind horse. 
As welcome as water in one's shoes, 
As wilful a3 a pig thatagrill neither lead nor dp 
As a cat loves mustarwP 
As brisk as a bee in a tar pot. 



PROVERBIAL RHYMES. 155 

As wise ai Waltham's calf, that ran nine miles to suck a 

bull. 
As busy as a hen with one chicken . 
As fine as a lord's bastard. 
As full as an egg of meat. 
To go out as a snuff. 
As green as grass. 
As hungry as a church-mouse. 
As good beg of a naked man, as a miser. 
As good do nothing as to no purpose. 
As good eat the dev41 as the broth he is boiled in. 

When Lincoln Minster was finished; the devil is said to have 
looked over it with a terrific and malicious grin, as envying, 
saith Fuller, man's " costly devotion. 11 

To love it as the devil loves holy water. 

As merry as a cricket. 

As good have no time, as make no good use of it. 

As good water goes by the mill, as drives it. 

As grave as an old gate post. 

As grey as grannum's cat. 

As kind as a kite ; all you can't eat you hide. 

As plain as the nose on a man's face. 

As poor as Job. 

To strut like a crow in a gutter. 

As tender as Parnell, that broke her finger in a posset curd 

\ s white as the driven snow. 



PROVERBIAL RHYMES; 

VV hen Adam delv'd, and Eve span, 
Where was then the gentleman ? 
With a red man read thy read ; 
With a brown man break thy bread ; 
.At a pale man draw thy knife, 
From a black man keep thy wife. 
The higher the plum tree, the riper the plum ;1 
ieher the cobbler, the blacker his thumb. 



io6 PROVERBIAL RHYMES. 

A man of words and not of deeds, 

Is like a garden full of weeds. 

Women and wine, game and deceit, 

Make the wealth small, and the wants great. 

He that buys land, buys many stones ; 

He that buys flesh, buys many bones ; 

He that buys eggs, buys many shells ; 

But he that buys good ale, buys nothing else. 

If not by might, 

E'ou do it by flight. 

He's a wise man, who, when he's well, can hold himself so. 

Many a little makes a mickle. 

Little strokes fell great oak3. 

Pay what you owe, 

And what you're worth you'll know. 

Sometimes words hurt more than swords. 

Linen often to water, soon to tatter. 

He that would please all, and himself too, 

Undertakes what none could do. 

He that by the plough would thrive. 

Himself must either hold or drive. 

There's nothing agrees worse, 

Than a prince's heart and a beggars purse. 

Our fathers, who were wond'rou- wise, 

Did wash their throats before they wash'd their eyes. 

The shape of a good Greyhound, 
A head like a snake, a neck like a drake, 
A back like a beam, a belly like a bream, 
A foot lik© a cat, a tail like a rat. 
As a man lives, so shall he die ; 
As a tree falls, so shall it lie. 
He that once a good name gets, 
May p — a-bed, and say he sweats. 
An ague in the spring. 
I3 physic for a king. 
The lather to the bougV 
The ?on to the plough- 



PROVERBIAL RHYMES, 157 

The head and feet keep warm, 

The rest will take no harm . 

First cantiftg t then wooing; 

Then dallying, then doing. 

We will bear wkh the stink, 

If it bring but in chink. 

An ape's an ape, a varlet's a variety 

Though they be clad in silk or scarlet. 

The counsels that are given in wine. 

Will do no good to thee or thine. 

W 7 ho, more than he is worth, doth spend. 
makes a rope his life to end, 

A thousand pounds and a bottle of hay. 

Are all one at Doomsday. 

Be always as merry as ever you can, 

For no one delights in a sorrowful man. 

Maidens mu,t be mild and meek ; 

Swift to hear, &nd slow to speak. 

A w hip for a fool, and a rod for a school, 

Are always in good season. — Cardinal Woi.sey. 

The devil was sick, the devil a monk would be ; 

The devil was well, the devil a monk was he. 

It would nn.ke a man scratch where it doth not itch. 

T© see a inun live poor, to die rich. 
The Inner Temple rich, 

The Middle Temple poor; 
Lincoln's Inn for law, 

And Gray's Inn for a w . 

u Manners make the man," quoth William of WiekbaBS, 

William of Wiekham was a person well known, He was 
bishop ot Winchester, founded a new college in Oxford, 
and Winchester college in Hampshire. This was general- 
ly hi* motto, inscribed frequently on places of his founding, 
So £nat it became proverbial. 

Who spends more than hesi;oulu, 
Hath not to spend when he would. 
If a man knew when things would be dear. 
He need bea merchant but one year, 
U 



J58 PROVERBIAL RHYMES* 

Would you live an angel's days ? 

Be honest, just, and wise always 

Enough's as good as a feas't, 

To one that's not a beast. * 

Early to bed, and early to rise, 

Will make a man healthy, wealthy, and wis* . 

If you trust before you try, 

You may repent before you die. 

Wide will wear, 
But narrow will tear. 
, One God — no more, 
But friends good store. 
I never saw an oft-removed tree, 
Nor yet an oft-removed-family, 
That*throve so well as those that settled be. 
There are no gains without pains ; 
Then plough deep, while sluggards sleep. 
Upstart's a churl that gathereth good ; 
From whence did spring his noble blood ? 

3e that hath more smocks than shirts in a bucking, 
ad need be a man of good forelooking.— Chaucer 
Great wits to madness, sure are near allied, 
And thin partitions do their bounds divide. 
His wit got wings, and would have flown, 
But poverty still kept him down. 
When a musician has forgot his note, 
He makes as though a crumb stuck in his throat 
" The most haste the worst speed," 
Quoth the tailor to his long thread. 

The good or ill hope of a good or ill life, 

Is the good or ill choice of a good or ill wife. 

When 1 did well, I heard it never ; 

When I did ill, I heard it ever. 

He who will thrive, must rise at five ; 

He who has thriven, may sleep till seven 

T^he friend of the table, 

}Is very variable. — French, 



PROVERBIAL RHYMES. 

Vessels large may venture more, 

But little boats should keep near shore. 

Alight purse, 
Is a heavy curse. 

Such envious things the women are, 
That fellow flirts they cannot bear. 
Fond pride of dress is sure a very curse; 
Ere fancy you consult, consult your purse, 
For age and want save while you may ; 
.No morning sun lasts a whole day. 
Get what you can, and what you get hold ; 
*Tis the stone that will turn all your lead into gold. 
He that gives his goods before he be dead, 
Take up a mallet and knock him on the head. 

Taken from thejiistory of one John Bell, who, having givea 

all his substance to his children, was by them neglected: 

after he died there was found a mallet, with this inscription 3 

— I, John Bell ; leaves her a mell, the man to fell, 

Who gives all to his bairns, and keep nothing to himselL 

Many estates are spent in the getting 

Siuce women, for tea, forsook spinning and knitting, 
'And men, for their punch, forsook hewing and splitting, 

Who dainties love, - 

Shall beggars prove. 

Wise men with pity do behold 

Fools worship mules who carry gold. 

They that have no other meat, 

Bread and butter are glad to eat. 

As your wedding-ring wears, 

You'll wear off your cares. 

Like blood, like goods, and like ages, 

Make the happiest marriages. 



SUMMARY 

OF 

ANCIENT 1 PASTURES, HOLIDAYS, 

CUSTOMS, CEREMONIES, 

AND 

SUPERSTITIONS. 



163 
PASTIMES AND HOLIDAYS. 

" What is a gentleman without his recreations?" — Old Play. 

In the Games and Diversions of a people, we may trace 
the distinguishing features of the national character ; and 
the rude pastimes of our ancestors are a practical illus- 
tration of 'he courage and hardiness for which they were 
celebrated. Some of the old sports would be incompati* 
ble with the refinement of the present day, but others are 
of a nature less objectionable, and the memory of which 
is worthy of preservation. Many of the ancient Games 
and Holidays were rural festivities, commemorati * of 
the return of the seasons, and not only innocent in them- 
selves, but conducive to health and good-fellowship. Of 
this description were the May Games, the Harvest Sup- 
per, the Feast of Sheep Shearing, Midsummer-Eve re- 
joicings, and the celebration of the New Year : all these 
may be traced to the earliest times ; indeed they are co- 
eval with society, and the Feast of the Tabernacle among 
the Jews, and the ancient honours paid to Ceres, Bacchus, 
and Saturn by the heathens, were only analagous obser- 
vances, under a d liferent appellation. 

A revival of some of the old Sports and Pastimes would, 
probably, be an improvement in national manners ; and 
the modren attractions of Rouge et Noir^ French hazard, 
Roulette, " blue ruin," and muddy porter, be beneficially 
exchanged for the more healthly recreations of former 
ages, w Worse practices within doors," as S owe remarks, 
" it is to be feared, have succeeded the more open pas- 
times of the older time." 

The recreations of our Saxon ancestors were such as 
were common among the ancient Northern nations ; con- 
sisting mostly of robust exercises, as hunting, hawking, 
leaping, running, wrestling and casting: of darts. They 
were also much addicted to gaming; a propensity unfortu- 
nately transmitted^ unimpaired, to their descendants of 
the present day. Chess was a favourite ^ame with them, 
and likewise backgammon, said to have been invented 
about thft tenth century. The Normans introduced the 



164 PASTIMES AND HOLIDAYS. 

chivalrous game of tournaments and justs. These last 
became very prevalent, as we learn from a artirical poem 
of the thirteenth century, a verse from v^hich has been- 
thus rendered by Strutt in his " Sports and Pastimes :*' 

4 If wealth, Sir Knight, perchance be thine, 
In tournaments you're bound to shine ; 
Refuse — and all the world will swear, 
You are not worth a rotten pear.' 

When the military enthusiasm which characterised the 
middle ages had subsided and chivalry was on the decline, 
a prodigious change took place in the manners of the peo- 
ple. Violent exercises grew out of fashion with persons 
of rar:k, and the example of the nobility was followed by 
other classes. Henry VII. Henry VIII. and James I. en- 
deavoured to revive the ancient military exercises, but 
with only ephemera] success. 

We learn from Burton, in his " Anatomy of Melancho- 
ly," what were the most prevalent sports at the end of the 
sixteenth century.* Hunting, hawking, running at rings, 
tilts and tournaments, horse-races and wild-goose chaces, 
were the pastimes of the gentry; while the lower classes 
recreated themselves at May Games, Wakes, Whitson, 
Ales ; by ringing of bells,, bowling, shooting, wrestling, 
leaping, pitching the bar, playing with keel pins, coifs, 
tronks, wasters, foils, foot- ball, balown, and running at 
the quintain. Speaking of the Londoners, Burton says, 
"■ They take pleasure to see some pageant or sight go by, 
as at a coronation, wedding, and such like solemn niceties, 
to see an ambassador or prince received and entertained 
with masks, shows, and fireworks." The following he 
considers common amusements, both in town and country 



*In his dry way, Old Burton says, " Cards, dice,hawkes, 
and hounds, are rocks upon which men lose themselves when 
they are improperly handled and beyond their fortunes." 
Hunting and hawking, he allows, are " honest recreations, 
and fit for some great men, but not for every base and inferior 
person, who, while they maintain their faulkoner, and dogs, 
and hunting nags, their wealth runs away with their hounds^ 
&nd their fortunes fly away with their hawkes." j* 



PASTIMES AND HOLIDAYS. 165 

— namely, " bull-baitings, and bear-baitings, in which 
our countiyinen and citizens greatly delight and frequent- 
ly use ; dancers on ropes, jugglers, comedies, tragedies, 
artillery gardens, and cock-fighting." The winter recrea- 
tions consisted oi cards, dice, tables, shovelboard, chess, the 
philosopher's game, shuttlecock, billiards, music, masks, 
dancing, ule-games,- riddles, cross purposes, merry tales of 
knights-errant, thieves, witches, fairies ard goblins. 

In adddition to f he ^lay-games, morris dancing, pageants, 
and processions, which were common throughout the 
kingdom, the Londoners had peculiar privileges of hunt- 
ing, hawking, and fishing ; they had also large portions of 
ground allotted to them in the vicinity of the city, for the 
practice of such pastimes as were not prohibited; and for 
those, especially, that were conducive to health. On the 
holidays, during the summer season, the young men exer- 
cised themselves in the fields with leaping, archery, wrest- 
ling, playing with ball?, and practising with their wasters 
and bucklers. The city damsels had also their recreations 
playing upon their timbrels, and dancing to the music, 
which they often practised by moonlight. One writer 
9ays, it was customary for the maidens to dance in pre- 
sence of their masters and mistresses, while one ol their 
comp.TUions played the music on a timbrel ; and to stimu- 
late them, the best dancers were rewarded with a garland ; 
the prize being exposed to public view during the per- 
formance. To this custom Spenser alludes, — 

fc * The damsels they delight, 

When the) their timbrels smite, 

And thereunto dance and carol sweet." 

The London apprentices often amused themselves with 
their wasters and bucklers, before the doors ©f their mas- 
ters. Hunting, with the Lord Mayor's pack of hounds, 
was a diversion of the metropolis, as well as sailing, row- 
ing, and fishing on the Thames. Duck-hunting was a 
favourite recreation in the summer, as we learn from 
Strype. 

Having thus given a general view of public amusements 
from an early period, I shall shortly describe some of the 
most popular pastimes, many of which have been either 
modified or supplanted by other recreations. 

First, of the game of Hand-ball, called by the French 



166 PASTIMES AND HOLID AY&l 

palm-play, because the exercise consisted in receiving; the 
ball, and driving it back again with the palm of the hand. 
Formerly they played with the naked hand, then with a 
glove, which in some instances was lined ; afterwards they 
bound cords and tendons round the hands to make the ball 
rebound more forcibly : hence the rack derived its origin, 
in the reign of Charles I. palm-play was very fashionable 
in France, being played by the nobility for large sums of 
money : when they had lost all they had about them, they 
would sometimes pledge a part of their dress, rather than 
give up the game. In England it was a favourite pastime 
among the youth of both sexes, and in many parts of the 
kingdom, they played during the Easter holidays, for tan- 
sy cakes. It is still played, though under a different name 
and probably under a different modification of the game 
it is now called Fives. 

Stool-ball is frequeutly mentioned by the writers of 
the last ceiitury, but without any description of the game. 
Dr. Johnson describes it as a play, where balls are driven 
from stool to stool, but does not say ia what manner, or to 
what purpose. It seems to have been a game more appro- 
priated to the women than to the men, but occasionly 
played by both sexes, as appears from the following song 1 , 
Written by D'Urfey to the play of Don Quixote ; 

" Down in a vale, on a summer's day, 
All the lads and lapses met to be merry-; 
A match for kisses at stool-bal/ to play, 
And for cakes, and ale, and cider, and perry. 
'Chorus. Come all, great, small, short, tall, away to stool-ball. rr 

v Foot-ball was formerly much in vouge among th* 
common people, though oi late years it has fallen into dis- 
repute, and is little practised. Many games w.th the ball 
require the assistance of a club or bat, and probably the 
most ancient is that well- known game in the North, under 
the name of Goff. It requires much room to play this 
game properly, therefore it is rarely seen in the vicinity of 
the metropolis. Pall-mall had some resemblance to 
Goff. The game consisted in striking a round box ball 
%ith a mallet, through two high arches of iron, one at each 
end of the alley ; which he that could do at the fewest, 
blows, or at the number agreed upon, wins. It was a fash- 
ionable amusement in the reign of Charles II. and a welfc 



PASTIMES AND HOLIDAYS. 167 

known street, then a walk in St. Jame's Park, derived its 
name from Charles and hk courtiers there playing at mall: 
the denomination mall, being evidently derived from the 
mallet or wooden hammer used by the players. 

The noble game of Cricket has superseded most of 
the ancient ball-games, and this is now so frequent a pas- 
time among all ranks, that it does not require illustration, 

Running at the Quintain is a game of great anti- 
quity. The quintain at first v as nothing more than the 
trunk of a tree or post, set up for the purpose of tyros in 
chivalry. In process of time, the diversion was improved, 
and the resemblance of a human figure, carved in wood, 
was introduced. To render the appearance of this figure 
more formidable, it was generally made in the likeness of 
a Turk or Saracen, armed at all points, bearing a shield 
upon his left arm, and a sword in his right. The quintain 
thus fashioned was placed upon a pivot, and so constructed 
as to move round with great facility. In running at the 
figure, it was necessary for the horseman to direct his lance 
with great adroitness, and to make his stroke upon the fore- 
head between the eyes, or upon the nose ; for if he struck 
wide of these parts, especially upon the shield, the quin- 
tain turned about with velocity, and if he was not exeed- 
ingly careful would ghehim a severe blow on the baek 
with the wooden sabre held in the right hand, which was 
considered highly disgraceful to the performer, while it 
excited the laughter of the spectators. 

The exercise of the quintain was practised in London 
in summer, and in wiuter, but especially about 
Christmas. Stowe relates, he had seen the quintain set 
on Cornhill, where "the attendants of the lords of merry 
disports have ran, and made great pastime." Tilting or 
running at the ring, was evidently a sport derived from 
the quintain. 

Hock-Day was once a popular holiday, mentioned^ by- 
Matthew Paris and other ancient writers. It was usually 
kept about Easter, and distinguished by various sportive 
pastimes, in which the men and women, divided into par- 
ties, were accustomed to bind and draw each other with 
ropes. Hock-Day was generally observed, so late as the 
lixteenth century, 



168 PASTIMES AND HOLIDAYS. 

Sheep-Shearing and the Harvest-Home were botk 
celebrated in ancient times, with feasting and rustic sports : 
at the latter the masters and servants used to sit down at 
the&me table, to a plentiful regale, and spend the night in 
dancing and singing, without distinction. At the present 
day, excepting a dinner, or more frequently a supper, at 
conclusion of sheep-shearing and harvest, we have little 
remains of these great rural festivals. 

The advent of the New- Year is still marked by the ob- 
servance of some old customs ; the old year being consider- 
ed well ended by copious libations, and the new by send- 
ing presents, termed New- Year-gifts, to friends and ac- 
quaintance. Young women formerly went about with 
the famous Wassail bowl; that is — a bowl ot spiced ale, o» 
New-year's eve, with some verses which were sung by 
them in going frorn door to door. 

Fairs were formerlya greater kind of market, to which 
peoplevresorted periodically, for the purchase of all kinds 
of necessaries for the ensuing year. One of the chief of 
them, was that of St. Giles's Hill, near Winchester: it 
was at fir-t for three days, but afterwards by Henry III. 
prolonged to sixteen days. It* jurisdiction extended seven 
miles round; comprehending even Southampton, then a 
capital traJiug town. A toll was levied on ali merchan- 
dize brought to th.3 fair, the produce~of which had been 
given by the Conqueror to the bishop of Rochester. 

Fairs were often the anniversary of the dedication of a 
church, when tradesmen used to sell their wares in the 
churchyard ; as at Westminster, on St. Peter's day ; at 
London, on St. Bartholomew^; at Durham, on St. Cuth- 
berl's day. They have long been on the decline in public 
estimation. South wark fair, May fair, and St. James' fair, 
in the city of Westminster, were suppressed at the btigining 
of the last century ; and if the present hostility of the ma- 
gistrates continues to these annual assemblages, few will 
shortly remain in the villages and hamlets round the me- 
tropolis. 

May-Games are of great antiquity, and were formerly 
generally celebrated, especsally in the metropolis. StoWe 
says, on May-day, in the morning, the citizens used to walk 
fci into the sweet meadow 5 and green woods, there to rejoice 
their spirits with the beauty and savour of sweet flowers ;" 
and he gives an account of Henry the Eighth's riding a 



PASTB1I*? AND HOLIDAYS. 169 

Maying from Greenwhich to Shooter's hill, with Queen 
Catherine, accompanied with many lords and ladies. He 
further says, that " every parish, and sometimes two or 
three parishes, joining together, had their Mayings, and 
did fetch in May-poles, with divers warlike shows, with 
good archers, morris dancers, and other devices for pastime,^ 
all the day long ; an4, towards evening, they had stage 
plays and bonfires in the streets." It was a custom t* 
elect a lord and lady of the May, who presided over the 
sports. Robin Hood and his merry companions were per- 
sonified in appropriate dresses, and added much to the 
pageantry of the May-games. He presided as lord of the 
May, and a female, or man habited like a female, called 
the Maid Marian, his faithful, mistress, was the lady of 
the May. The May-pole, in some villages, stood the whole 
year without molestation. The only remains of May-games 
in the south is Jack-in-the-Green, who still parades the 
streets ; though a very trumpery representation of the 
old sports. 

The Witsuntide-Holldats were celebrated by vari- 
ous pastimes and drolleries. Stutt says, that at Kidllngton 
in Oxfordshire, a fat lamb was provided ; and the maidens 
of the town, having their thumbs tied behind them, were 
permitted to run after it ; and she who, with her mouth, 
took hold of the lamb, was declared the Lady of the 
Lamb; which being killed and cleaned, but with skin hang- 
ing upon it, was carried in procession before the lady and 
her companions to the green, attended with music, and a 
morris dance of men, and another of women. Tke rest 
of the dav was spent in mirth and glee. 

Country Wakes are the last rural holiday I shall no- 
tice : they were generally observed in the northern and 
southern parts of the kingdom, consisting of feasting, dan- 
cing on the green, wrestling, and cudgel-playing. They 
were originally intended to commemorate the dedication 
of the parish church, when the people went to pray with 
lighted torches, and returned to feast the remainder of the 
night. 

To these rural pastimes and ancient sports succeeded the 
less healthy amusements of balancing, tumbling, and jug- 
gling — the tricks performed by bears, monkeys, horses, and 
dancing dogs. Astley's Amphitheatre and the Roval Cir- 
15 



I/O PASTIMES AND HOLIDAYS. 

cus exhibited feats of equestrianship. Music began to 
form a principal ingredient in popular amusements, and 
Vauxhall, Ranelagh, Sadler's Wells, and the Marybonne 
Gardens, were the chief marts for recreation. These, with 
the great attraction and variety of dramatic entertainments 
and a more sedulous devotion to cards, dice, and billiards, 
have continued, to the present day, the prevalent amuse- 
ments. 



CUSTOMS AND CEREMONIES, 



Many of our ancient customs smBi ceremonies may be 
traced to the remotest period and the most distant na- 
tions ; and few but have had their origin prior|to the 
time of the Reformation. I shall briefly describe a few 
of the most remarkable, premising that the facts are 
chiefly collected from the curious and interesting work 
of the late Mr. Brand, on " Popular Antiquities." 

On Midsummer-Eve, fires were lighted, round 
which the old and young amused themselves in various 
rustic pastimes. In London, in addition to the bonfires, 
every man's door was shaded with green birch, long fen- 
nel, St. John's wort, and white lilies ; ornamented with 
garlands of flowers. The citizens had, also, lamps of 
glass, with oil buring in them all night ; and some of 
them hung out branches of iron, curiously wrought, con- 
taining hundreds of lamps lighted at once, which made a 
very splendid appearance. On these occasions, Stowe 
says, New Fish-street and Thames-street were peculiarly 
brilliant. 

It is a ceremony, says Browne, never omitted among 
the vulgar, to draw lots which they term Valentines on 
the eve before Valentine day. The names of a se- 
lect number of one, with an equal number of the other 
sex, are put into some vessel ; and after that, every one 
draws a name, which for the present is called their Val- 
entine, and is looked upon as a good omen of their being 
man and wife afterwards. Brand says, the custom of 
choosing Valentines was a sport practised in the houses 
of the gentry of England, so early as the year 1746. 

In the North of England, the Monday preceding . 
Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Tuesday, is called Collop 
Monday ; eggs and collops forming a principal dish at 
dinner on that day, as pancakes no on the following, 
from whichcustom they derive their names. It would seem 



m CUSTOMS AND CEREMONIES, 

that on Coilop Monday they toek their leave of flesh m 
the papal times, which was formerly prepared to last du- 
ring the winter, by salting, drying, and being hung up. — - 
Slices of this kind of meat are, to this day, called collops 
in the North ; whence they are called steaks when cut 
off fresh, or unsalted flesh. 

Hallow Eve, called in the North, Nut-crack Nighf, 
is the vigil of All-Saints' Day., which is on the first of 
November ; when it^the custom, in the North of Eng- 
land to dive for a^les, or catch at them, suspended 
from a string, with their mouths only, their hands being 
tied behind their backs. In Scotland, the young women 
determine the figure and size of their husbands, on Hal- 
low Even, by drawing cabbages, blindfold ; an* 1 , like the 
English, fling nuts into the fire* Burning the nuts answers 
also the purposes of divination. They name the lad and 
lass to each particular nut as they put them into the 
fire ; and accordingly as they burn quietly together, or 
start from beside each other, the course and issue of the 
courtship will be. In Ireland the young women put 
three nuts upon the bar of the grates, naming the nuts 
after the lovers. If a nut cracks, or jumps, the lover 
will prove unfaithful ; if it begins to blaze or burn, he 
has a regard for the person making the trial. If t^ie 
nuts mentioned after the girl and her sweetheart, burn 
together, they will be married. A similar mode of divi- 
nation, by means of a peascod, is described by Gay. 

u As peascods once I pluck'd, I chanced to see 
One that was closely fill'd with three-times three ; 
Which when 1 cr©pp ? d ; I safely home convey'd. 
And o'er the door the spell in secret laid ; — 
The latch moved up 7 when who should first come In ; 
But, in his proper person, — Lubberkin !' 7 

The election of a Boy Bishop on St. Nicholas' Day, 
is one of the most singular customs of former times. In 
cathedrals, the Boy Bishop was elected from among the 
children of the choir. After his election, being complete- 
ly apparelled in the episcopal vestments, with a mitre and 
crozier, he bore the title and state of a bishop, and ex- 
acted ceremonial obedience from his fellows, who were 
habited like priests. What is most strange he took pos- 
session of the church, and, except mass, performed all the 



CUSTOMS AND CEREMONIES. 173 

ceremonies and offices. At Salisbury, the Boy Bishop 
had the power of disposing of such prebends as happen- 
ed to be vacant in the days of his episcopacy ; and if he 
died in his high office, the funeral honours of a bishop, 
with a monument were granted to him. His office and au- 
thority lasted from the 6th to the 28th of December. 

This ceremony is said to have been in honour of St. 
Nicholas, the patron of scholars. Such a show, at the 
present day, would have been deemed somewhat of a 
burlesque, or even blasphemous parody on the Christian 
religion. The show of the Boy Bishop was abolished 
by a proclamation in 1542. more from its absurdity than 
impiety. 

The Montkm, at Eton, bears some resemblance to 
the preceding pageant ; modified, in conformity with the 
altered feeling of the times, from a religious to a military 
spectacle. The Montem takes place on Tuesday, in 
Whitsun week, when the Eton scholars go in military 
procession, with drums and trumpets, to Salt-hill. The 
scholars of the superior classes dress in the uniform of 
captain, lieutenant, or other regimental officer ; which 
they obtain from London. The procession begins with 
marching three times round the school-yard ; from thence 
to Salt-hill, where one of the scholars, dressed in black, 
with a band, as a chaplain, reads certain prayers : after 
which, a dinner, dressed in the college kitchen, is provi- 
ded by the captain, for his guests at *he inn there ; the 
rest getting a dinner for themselves at the other houses 
of entertainment. The price of the dinner in Huggett's 
time was 10s. 6d. and 2s. 6d. more for salt-money. The 
dinner being over, they march back, in the order they 
came, into #he school-yard, round which they march 
three times, when the ceremony is concluded. 

The motto on the colours is, Pro More et Monte. Ev= 
ery scholar, who is no officer, marches with a long pole, 
two and two. Before the procession begins, tv/o of the 
scholars, called salt-bearers, dressed in white, with a 
handkerchief of salt in their hands, and attended each 
with some sturdy young fellow, hired for the occasion, go 
round the college, and through the town, and from 
thence up into the high road, offering salt to all, but scarce- 
ly leaving it to their choice, whether they will give or 
J5* 



174 CUSTOMS AND CEREMONIES. 

not ; for money they will have, if possible, and that even? 
from servants. The contributions thus levied are very- 
considerable ; in 1793 they amounted to 1000Z., but that 
was an unusual sum, the average being about 500/. — 
The salt-money paid by the king on this occasion is 100 < 
guineas. The custom of offering salt is differently ex- 
plained : it is supposed to be an emblem of learning ; and 
the scholars, in presenting it to passengers, and asking 
money, engage to become proficient therein. 

Royal Oak Day, as every one knows, commemo- 
rates the escape of Charles the Second from his pursu- 
ers, after the battle of Worcester. Brand relates that he 
remembered a taunting rhyme, which the boys at New 
Castle-upon Tyne used to insult such persons as trior 
met on that day, who had not oak leaves in their hats : 

" Royal oak, 

The Whigs to provoke/ 7 

To this was a retort courteous by others, who coa- 
temptuously wore plane-tree leaves, of the same homely 
diction : 

" Plane-tree leaves : 
The Church-folk are thieves." 

The royal oak, at a short distance from Boscobel- 
house, was standing in Dr. Stukeley'g time (1724,) en- 
closed with a brick wall, but almost cut away in the 
middle by travellers, whose curiosity led them to see it. 
Charles, after the Restoration,, visiting the place, carried 
away some of the acorns and set them in St. James's 
Park, and used to water them himself. 

The Passing Bell was anciently rung for two pur- 
poses : one to bespeak the prayers of all gqttl Christians 
for a soul just departing ; the other to fright away the 
evil spirits who stood at the bed's- foot, and abeut the 
house, ready to seize their prey : or, at least, to molest 
and terrify the soul in its passage : but by the ringing of 
that bell they were kept aloof; and the soul, like a hunt- 
ed hare, gained fehe start, or had what by sportsmen is 
called fan;. Hence, perhaps, exclusive of the additional 
labour, was occasioned the high price demanded for tol- 
ling the greater bell of the church ; for that being loud- 
§r, the evil spirits must go farther off; it would likewise 
procure the deceased a great number of prayers. 






CUSTOMS AND CEREMONIES. K5 

Mothering Sunday, or Mid-Lent Sunday, is the 
day on which the people used to visit their mother 
church, and make their offerings at the high altar. The 
only remains of this custom is the practice of going to 
visit parents on Mid-Lent Sunday. 

"April with fools, and May with bastards blest." 

Churchill. 

A cu«tom says The Spectator, prevails every where 
amongst us on the first of April, when every body strives 
to make as many fools as he can,. The wit consists chiefly 
in sending persons on what are called sleeveless errands, 
for the History of Eve's Mother, for Pigeon's milk, with 
similar ridiculous absurdities. The French call the per- 
son imposed upon, a Poisson tP Avril, "an April fish,' 
who we term an April fool. In the North of England, 
person thus imposed upon are called. " April Gowks :" 
Gowk being the word for a cuckoo ; metaphorically, a 
fool. In Scotland, they send silly people from place tf> 
place, by means of letter, in which is written : 
" On the first day of April, 
Hunt the Gowk another mile V' 
Similar fooleries prevail in Portugal, as we learn from Mr. 
Southey. " On the Sunday and Monday," says he, " pre- 
ceding Lent, as on the first of April, in England, people- 
are privileged here (Lisbon) to play the fool. It is 
thought Very jocose to pour water on any person who 
passes, or throw water on his face ; but to do both is the 
perfection of wit." 

Mr. Brand has not ascertained the origin of All-Fool's 
day. It has been stated it arose from the custom of let- 
ting all the insane persons be at large on the first of April, 
when the boys amused themselves by sending them on ri- 
diculous errands. 

Maundait Thursday is the Thursday before Easter, 
and is the Thursday of the poor, from the French mendier, 
" to beg." It was formerly the custom of the Kings of 
England to wash the feet of poor men, in number equal to 
the years of their reign, in imitation of the humility of 
our Saviour; and give them shoes, stockings, and monev. 
James the Second wdi the last king who performed this ia 
person. The' custom of giving alms is ?=till con^iiueu, 



17$ CUSTOMS AND CEREMONIES. 

The Shamrock is said to be worn by the Irish on St. 
Patrick's Day, in memory of the means resorted to by 
their patron Saint, to convert them to Christianity.— 
When St. Patrick landed near Wicklow, the natives were 
ready to stone him for attempting' an innovation in the re- 
ligion of their ancestors. He requested to be heard, and 
explained to them, that God is an omnipotent spirit, who 
created heaven and earth, and that'the Trinity contained 
the Unity ; but they were reluctant to give credit to his 
words. St. Patrick then plucked a trefoil, ok three-leaved 
grass, with one stalk, exclaiming, " Is it not as possible for 
the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to be in one, as for these 
three leaves to grow upon a single btalk !" Then the 
Irish were immediately convinced of their error, and 
were solemnly baptized by St. Patrick. 

It was a general custom, and is still observed in some 
parishes, to go round the bounds and limits of the parish, 
on one of the three days before Holy Thursday : when 
the minister, accompanied by his churchwardens and pa- 
rishioners, were wont to deprecate the vengeance of God, 
beg a blessing upon the fruits of the earth, and preserve 
the rights and boundaries of the parish. It is supposed to 
have been derived from the ancients, in imitation of the 
feast called Terminalia, which was dedicated to the god 
Terminus, whom they considered the guardian of fields 
and landmarks, and the preserver of friendship and peace. 
In London, these parochial perambulations are still kept 
upon Holy Thursday, Hooker, author of Ecclesiastical 
Polity, would by no means omit the customary procession ; 
persuading all, both rich and poor, if they desired the 
preservation of love, and their parish rights and liberties, 
to accompany him in his perambulation. 

The custom of electing municipal officers and magis- 
trates &t Michaelmas is still observed, as well as the 
old fare of & roast goose to dinner. Perhaps no reason 
can be given for this latter custom, but that Michaelmas 
day was a great festival, and stubble ge^se at that time 
^/ere plentiful and good : 

" Geese now in their prime season are, 
Which, if well roasted, are good fare." 

Poom Robin's Amanack, 1695. 




CUSTOMS AND CEREMONIES, 177 

Some ascribe the eating of goose at Michaelmas, to tl>? 
circumstance, that on that day Queen Elizabeth received 
the news of the defeat of the Spanish Armada, while she 
was eating a goose ; and to commemorate the event, she 
ever afterwards dined on that day on a goose. But, as 
Brand observes, this is a strong proof that the custom pre- 
vailed at court even in Queen Elizabeth's time. In Den- 
mark, where the harvest is later, every family has a roast- 
ed goose for supper on St Martin's eve. 



CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS. 



England was always famous amonis loreigners for the 
celebration of Christmas, at which se ^son they admitted 
sports and pastimes, not known in other countries. 

" At the feast of Christmas," says Stowe, " inthe King's 
court, wherever he chanced to reside, there was appointed 
Lord of Misrule, or master of merry diports : the 
same merry fellow made his appearance at the house of 
every nobleman and person of distinction ; and, among the 
rest, the lord mayor of London and the sheriffs, had their 
lords of misrule, ever contending, without quarrel or of- 
fence, who should make the rarest pastime to delight the 
beholders." The society of Lincoln's Inn had an officer 
chosen at this season, who was honoured with title of King 
of Christmas Day, because he presided in the hall on that 
day, with his marshal and steward to attend him. The 
marshal, in the absence of the monarch, was permitted to 
assume his state ; and upon New- Year's day he sat as king 
in the hall, when the master of the revels, during the time 
of dining, supplied the marshal's place. 

The custom of going a-begging^called Hagmena, a 
few nights before Christmas, singing Christmas carols and 
wishing a happy New- Year, is still folk) wed in the North 
of England. They get in return, apples, nuts, refresh- 
ments, and money. Mumming is another Chrismas drol- 
lery, which consists in men and women changing clothes ; 
and, so disguised, going from one neighbour's house to 
another, partaking of Christmas cheer, 



tf S CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS, 

On the night of Christmas Eve, it was formerly the 
practice to light up candles of an uncommon size, called 
Christmas candles, and lay a log of wood on the fire called 
a Yule Clogt to illuminate the house, and turn, as it were, 
day into night. In th Latin, or western church, Christ- 
mas was called the Feast of Lights. 

The forms of the Twelfth Day vary in different coun- 
tries, yet all agree in the same end, to do honour to the 
Eastern Magi, who are supposed to have been of royal 
dignity. It is in the south of England where the customs 
of this day are most prevalent. They are thus described 
by Brand. After tea, a cake is produced, and two bowls, 
containing the fortunate chances for the differ^it sexes. 
The host fills up the tickets, and the whole company except 
the king and queap,j are to be ministers of state, and maids 
of honour or ladicalrf the bedchamber. Often the host and 
hostess, more by Resign than accident, become king and 
queen. The twelfth-cake was made formerly of plums, 
with a bean and pea ; — who found the former, was king ; 
who got the latter, was queen. The choosing of a king and 
queen, by a bean in a ,piece of divided cake, was formerly 
a common Christmas gambol in both the universities. 

Christmas Boxes are derived from a custom of the 
ancients, of giving New Year's Gifts. In papal times, the 
priests had their Christmas box, in which were kept the 
sum they levied on the people for prayers, and granting ab- 
solution for sins. 

Decking houses and churches with ever-greerts is ano- 
ther custom of pagan origin. The ancient Druids decked 
their houses with holly and ivy in December, that the syl- 
van spirits might repair to them, and remain unnipped by 
frost and cold winds till a milder season had renewed the 
foliage of their favourite abodes. 

But for a more particular account of Christmas customs 
and festivities we must refer the reader to Mr. Brand's 
large work, or to Washington Irving. I shall conclude 
with a good old Christmas carol from Poo?- Robin's Alma- 
nack, for 1695, and preserved m Brand's Popular ANTI- 
QUITIES. 



Ir 



A CHRISTMAS SONG. 



Now thrice welcome, Christmas, 

Which brings us good cheer ; 
Minc'd pies and plum-pudding, 

Good ale, and strong beer ; 
With pig, goose, and capon, 

The best that may be : 
So well doth the weather 

And our stomachs agree. 
Observe how the chimneys 

Do smoak all about ; 
The cooks are providing 

For dinner, no doubt ; 
But those on whose tables 

No victuals appear, 

may they keep Lent 
All the rest of the yea 

With holly and ivy, 

So green and so gay. 
We deck up our houses. 

As fresh as the day ; 
With bays and rosemary. 

And laurel complete ; 
And every one now 

Is a king in conceit, 

Sfr Jf; # 

But as for curmudgeons 
Who will not be free, 

1 wish they may die 



POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS. 



It would occupy a large volume merely to enumerate 
r&titious practices still prevalent indifferent parts 
of thecountry, many of which are observed in the me- 
tropolis ; and even well-educated persons will call to 
mind with vvh.it avidity in childhood they listened to 
nursery talesof giants, dwarfs, ghosts, fairies, and witches. 
The effect oi thes^ juvenile impressions aie not easily 
got the better of, and the impressions themselves rarely, 
if ev^r, forgot teu 

l<»ubf,in former times, the power of charms, and the 
veracity of omen* ar.d .^host-stones, was deemed little 
less than atheism; and the terror caused by them, fre- 
quently ^embittered the lives of persons of all ages; by 
aiuio •■: iem out of their own houses, aud deter- 

ring then) from going abroad after dark. The room in. 
which i he head of i family died was for a long time un- 
tnaned, particula !y if they died without a will, of 
Wfv »posed to h tve entertained any particular reli- 
gious opinion If any disconsolate old maiden or love- 
crossed bachelor happened to despatch themselves in 
their garters, th^ r >om vviiere the fatal deed was perpe- 
trated was rendered forever uninh citable, and notu nfre- 
queutly nailed up. if a drunken farmer, says Grose, re- 
turning from market, fell from Old Dobbin and br<ke his 
neck — or a carter, n th» sa;; ; redicament, tumbled 
from hi* cart or v\ a gon,and was killed by it — that spot 
ever after was haurnei aid impassable: in short, there 
w r as scr rcely a bye-Ian^ or cross-way, but had its ghost, 
who appeared in the shape of a headless cow or horse ; 
or, clothed ^11 in white, glared, with baleful eye, over 
some h>n( v ate or stile Gliosis of higher, degree rode 
in coaches, draw n by sis headless horses, and driven by 
a he^ess coachman and position Almost every ma- 
nor- .se u a h mnted by sorrn- of its former masfers and 
mis i S9es, wfiere, be-ides other noises, that of telling 
money was dis in -fly heard: and as forthe church-yards, 
the number of'' ghosts that swarmed there, according to 
the village computation, equalled the living parishioners, 
16 



lt?2 POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS. 

and to pass through them was a far more perilous enter- 
prise than the slorming of Badajos ! 

Terrible and inconvenient as these superstitions might 
be 'hey were harmless compared with the dreadful conse- 
quences resulting from a belief in Witchcraft — which 
even made its way into our conns of justice; and it is 
. with horror we read of hundreds of innocent persons en- 
titled, by age and infirmities, to protection and indul- 
gence, immolated, with all the forms of law, at the shrine 
of universal Ignorance ! Artful priests, to advance the 
Interests of their religion, or rather their own emolu- 
ment, pretended to have power to cast out devils from 
demoniacs and person- bewitched, and for tills purpose 
suborned worthlsss people to act the part of persons pos- 
sessed ; and to suffei ihe evil spiri s 1fc be cast out by 
prayers and sprinkling with holy water. To perform 
their parts theycoun erfeited violent fit- and convulsions, 
on signs given them; and. in compliance with the popu- 
lar notions, vomited up crooked nails, pins, needles, coals, 
and other rubbish, privately conveyed to them. Fortu- 
nately, these combinations were at length discovered and 
exposed; but it is an astonishing fact, that rti iNevv Eng- 
land there were, at one time, upwards of three hundred 
persons all imprisoned for witchcraft. 

Confuted and ridiculed as these opinions have lately 
been, the seeds of them ^tre still widely diffused, and at 
different times have attempted to spring up, as in the 
Cock-lane Ghost, the noises at Stockwell, and the Samp- 
ford Ghost. So recently as in the last reign, in the centre 
of England, at Glen in Leicestershire, two old vvomen 
Were actually thrown into the river by the polulace,to 
ascertain, by their sinking or swimming, \\ nether they 
Were witches! Have we MOt even at the present day the 
pretended miracles of firince Hohenloe, and do we not 
daily read of the horrid cruelties perpetrated n Ireland? 
under the pretence of casting out evil spirits? How, in- 
deed, can we doubt the wide d (fusion of popular ''super- 
stitions, iv hen it is notorious, that men of first-rale ed- 
ucation and intellect have been believers therein! Dr. 
Johnson was a scrupulous observer of signs, omens, and 
particular days , Addison was a half-believer, at least, in 
gliosis; John Wesley saw or heard several apparitions; 
and at this verv tine we have the Poet Laureate and 



* 



POPULAR SUPEKSTfTTONS. 183 

Sir Walter Scott endeavouring to revive ail the an- 
cient phantasmagoria of elves, fairies, witches, giant?, and 
dwarfs, — not forgetting the philosopher's stone, and the 
sublime mysteries of Jacob Behmen ! 

GHOSTS. 

These are supposed to be the spirits of persons deceas- 
ed ; who are either commissioned to return for some es- 
pecial errand, such as the discovery of a murder ; to pro- 
cure restitution of lands, unjustly withheld from an or- 
phan or widow — or, having commit led some injustice 
whilst living, cannot rest till that is redressed. Sometimes 
their earthly mission is to inform their heir in what se- 
cret place, or private draper in an old trunk, they had 
hidden the title-deeds of the estate , or where in trouble- 
some times they had buried their money or plate Some 
ghosts of murdered persons, whose bodies have been se- 
cretly buried, cannot be at ease till iheir bones have been 
grubbed up, and deposjied in consecrated ground* with a)l 
the rites of Christian buna!" 

Ghosts are supposed to be mere aerial beings, that can 
glide through a stone wail, a key-hole, or even the eye 
of a tailor's needle They usually appear about mid- 
Hight, seldom before it is dark ; though some audacious 
spirit have appeared even b> daylight: but of these 
there are few instances, and ihose most'y Ghosts th. 1 have 
been laid in the Red Sea, and wb^se term of imprison- 
ment had expired: these, like felons returned from Bota- 
ny Bay, are -aid to return more daring and troublesome 
than before. Dragging chains is not the fashion of Eng- 
lish Ghosts-, chains and black vestments being chieny 
the habiliments of foreign sprites, s -en in the dominions 
o|^he Holy Alliance : living or dv*ad English spirits are 
free\ One solitary instance occurs of an English Ghost ' 
dressed in black, in the well-known ballad of VVillia» 
and Margaret: 

And clay-cold was her lily hand, 
That held her sable shroud. 

This, however, is conjectured to be merely a poetical 
licence, «;sed for the bold contrast—the 9ss«n«e »f tke 
picturesque-- of lily to 



IS4 POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS. 

If, during the time of an apparition, there is a lighted 
candle in the room, it burns deeply blue : (his is so uni- 
versally admitted, that many firs! -rate philosophers have 
busied themselves in accounting for it, without once 
doubting the truth of the fact. Dogs have the faculty of 
seeing spirits, which they evince by whining and creep- 
ing close to their masters Whether pigs — who are known 
to have a peculiar organ of vision for seeing the wind- 
are equally gifted, has not yet been ascertained. Their 
coming is usually announced by a variety of loud and 
dreadful noises, sometimes rattling in the hall like the 
trundling of bowls or cannon balls, or the shooting of a 
chaldron of Newcastle coals At length, the door flies 
open, and the spectre stalks slowly up t< • . bed's foot, 
and opening the curtain, looks i steadfast \\ at the person 
in bed, by whom it is seen and no other: a Ghost never 
appearing >o more than one person at once Agreeably 
to ghostly etiquette — a spirit must never speak first — so 
that the party must begin t.-y demanding, in the name of 
the Three Persons ot he Holy Trinity, who it is, and what 
is its business, which i: may be necessary to repeat three 
lim s ; after which' it will, in a low and hollow voice, 
declare its satisfaction at being spoken to, and desiring 
the party not to be afraid. It then enters into its nar- 
rative, which being completed, i> usually vanishes in 
a flash of light : in uhich <a ase some Ghosts have been 
so courteous as to desire the parly to shut their eyes: 
sometimes its departure 13 attended with heavenly music. 
During the narration, a Ghost must not lie interrupted; 

"List! list • hM! oh! list!" 
is the injunction of Hamlet's father. Questions respect- 
ing their present state, or any of heir former acquaint- 
ance, are seldom answ*e red ; spirits' being most prob^ly 
restrained by certain rules and regulations, from divulging 
the secrets of their prison house. 

Sometimes Ghosts appear and disturb a house, without 
deigning to give any reason for so doing: with these, the 
shortest and only way is to exorcise them or, as the vul- 
gar term is, lay tht-m For this purpose there must be 
two or three clergymen, and the ceremony must be per- 
formed in Latin ; a language that strikes the most auda- 
cious Ghost with terror A Ghost may be laid for any 
*me less tkan a hundred years ? and in any place or body.. 



POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS 185 

full or empty — asoTidoak — the pummel o/ a sadd'e-r-a 
bodkin — a barrel of beer, if yeoman o-- simple gentle- 
man — ora pine of wine, if an esquire, justice, or mem- 
berof parliament. But of all places, the most common, 
and what a Ghost least likes, is the Red Sea; it has been 
related, in many instances, that Ghosts have most earn- 
estly besought the exorcists not to confine them in that 
abominable place. 

In cases of murder, a Ghost, instead of going to Sir 
Richard Birnie or some other ustice,or to the nearest re- 
lation of the person murdered, a. pears to some poor la- 
bom er, who knows none of the parties, draw- the curtains 
j of some old nurse, or aiu s-uomen, or merely hovers 
round the place where the body is deposited Another 
feature in their conduct is the r fondness iorlow company 
and melanchol} | y rarely visit persons oi fash- 

ion and education, or scenes of htV • nd gaiety — their fa- 
vourite associate*, are children, old women, and rustics — 
and old man r houses, ruined castles, church yards, and 
obscure vill - ges. their places of resort If vcould be 
presumptuous to scrutinize the motives of such high per- 
sonages they have, doubtless, forms and customs pe- 
culiar to themselves. 

WITCHES. 

A witch is universally a poor, infirm, superannuated 
old wiKipan ; who, being in £r* at distress, is tempted by 
a man clothed in a bla< k coat or j-ow n ; sometimes, aho, 
asi; Scotland, rearing a bluish hand and hand cofis — a 
kind of turn-up linen sleeve, the sable gentleman pro- 
mise- l| si-jn a contract to become his, both 
soul and body, slie shall want for nothing, and that he 
will revenge her upon a)4 her enemies The agreement 
being concluded, he gives he some rifling sum of money, 
from half a crown down to tour-pence, to bind the bar- 
gain f'then cutting or pricking her finger, causes her to 
sign her name, or make a cross as her mark, with her 
blood, on a piece of parchment : what is the form of 
these contracts is no where mentioned !n addition to 
this signature, in Scotland, the Devil made the witches 
put one hand to the sole of their foot, and (he other 
to the crowapf their head, signifying tney were entirely 
his. In making these bargains, t here u sometimes a £re*t 

n* 



m POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS. 

deal of haggling, as is instanced in the negotiation be 
tween Oliver Cromwell and the Devil, before the bat- 
tie of Worcester, related in Echard's History of England. 
Before the Devil quits his new recruit, he delivers to her 
an imp or familiar, and sometimes two or three ; they are 
of different shapes and forms, some resembling a cat, 
others a mole, a miller fly, or some other insect or ani- 
mal : these are to come at her call, to do such mischief 
as she shall command, and, at stated times of the day, 
suck her blood, through teats, on different parts of her 
body. Feeding, suckling, or rewarding these imps was, 
by law, declared fkloky. 

Sometimes a Witch, in company with others of the 
sisterhood, is earned through the air on brooms or spits 
to distant meetings or sabbaths of Witches ; but for this 
they must anoint themselves wiih*a certain magical oint- 
ment given them by the Devil. At these meetings they 
have feasting, music, and dancing; the Devil himself some- 
times condescending to play on the great fiddle, or on the 
pipe or cittern. When the meeting breaks up, they all 
have the honour of kissing Satan's posteriors, who, tor 
that ceremony, usually assumes the form of a he-goat: 
though in Scotland it was performed when he appeared 
in the human shape, with a bluish band and ruff 

Witches show their spite by causing the object of it to 
waste away in a long and painful disease, with a sensa- 
tion of thorns stuck in the flesh : when a less fatal re- 
venge will satisfy them, they make their victims swallow 
pins, old nails, dirt, and trash of <M sorts, invisibly con- 
veyed to them by their imps Frequently they show 
their hate by drying cows and killing oxeri^ for slight of- 
fences they prevent butter from coming in the churn; or 
beer from working. To vex t.1$e squire, the pan on, or 
justice, they transform themselves into the shape of a 
hare, and lead the hounds and huntsmen a long and fruit- 
less chase. 

There are various tests for discovering a Witch. One, by 
weighing her against the church bible, which, if she is 
guilty, will preponderate: another, by making her say 
the Lord's Prayer, which no Witch is able to do correct- 
ly. A Witch cannot weep more than three tears, and 
that only out of the left eye : this want of tears was eon- 
" lered, even by some learned judges? as a decisive proof 



rOPUHR SUPERSTITIONS. 1ST 

pf guilt. Swimming (hem is the most infallible ordeal : 
strip them naked and rross bound, the right thumb to the 
left toe* and left thumb to ihe right toe: thus prepared, 
throw them into a pond or river in which, if guilty, they 
I cannot sink ; for having, by, their compact with the Devi!; 
renounced the benefit of the water of baptism, thpi ele- 
ment renounces them, and refuses to receive them into 
its bosom. 

On meeting a witch, it is advisable to take the wall of 
berin a town or street, and the right hand of her in a 
lane or field ; and\vh |»1 pass -n- hertoclench both hands, 
doubling the thumb beneath 'be fingers: this will prevent 
her power at that lime It is wc'l to salute a VVitch with 
civil words, on meeting her, before; she speaks: do not 
receive anything from her, but yon may present her with 
a few half-pence without injury. 

Some persons, born under particular planets, have the 
power to distinguish Witches at first si;;hl One of these 
gifted individuals, named A atthnw Hopkins, with John 
Stern and a women, were, in 1644. perrni'ted to explore 
the counties of E-s* x, Suffolk, ai;d Huntingdon, whh a 
commission to discover Y\ itches, receiving twenty shil- 
lings from each town they visited Many persons were 
pitched upon by them, and through their means convict- 
ed. Till at length some gentlemen, out of indignation 
at Hopkin's barbarity, tied him in the manner he had 
bound others, thumbs and toes together; in which state 
putting him in the water, he swam ! this cleared tire 
country. 

A perusal of the famous statute of Jr mes I , will show 
that a belief of mo-t of the tacts above recited was 
not confined to the populace By this act, any person 
convicted of witchcraft, or any of the- practices I have 
mentioned, was sentenced to a year's imprisonment and 
pillory; tor the second offenee, dfath This memorable 
specimen of the philosophy of the age, wa c not repeal- 
ed till the ninth year of the reign of George I. % . 

A SORCERER OR MAGICIAN, 
A sorcerer differs from a Witch in this a Witch de- 
rives all her power from a compact with the Devil ; a 
Sorcerer commands him and the infernal spirits, by his 
skill in powerful charms and invocations ; and also soothes 



1S8 POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS. 

and entices them by fumigations: for the devils are ob- 
served to have delicate nostrils, abominating and flymg 
some kind of stinks ; witness the flight of the evil spirit 
into the remote parts of Egypt, driven by the smell of a 
fish's liver, burned by Tobif. They are also found to be 
peculiarly fond of certain perfumes ; insomuch that Lilly 
informs us, that one Evans having roused a spir t, at the 
request of Lord Bothwelt and Sir Kenelm Digby, and 
forgetting a suffumigs'tion, the spirit, vexed at the neglect, 
snatched him from bis circle, and carried him from out 
his bouse in the iVlinories, into a field near Battersea! 

Sorcerers do not always employ their art to "do mis- 
chief; hut, on tae romrary, frequently exert it to cure 
disease* indicted by witches; to discover thieves, re- 
cover stolen goods : to .foretell future events, and the 
state of absent friends They raise spirits, and perform 
Other secrets of (heir calling,. by .mean- of the circle, a. 
beryl, a virgin, or * man unrienled with women;— See the 
<l Daemonologia" of James I. 

„ FAIRIES 

Are a bor. of intermeddle teings between men and 
spirits, hav ng bodies, with the power of rendering them 
invisible, and < f ; a-s:ng through all sons of enclosure?. 
They are Remarkably small 01 statute, vviih fair complex- 
ion&, whence they obtained their name Both male and 
female are generally clothed in $reen ; and frequent 
groves, mountains, the sunny side of hills, arid green 
meadows, where they amuse themselves with dancing, 
hand in band, in a circle, anri by moon light 'I be traces 
of their feet are visible next morning on the gra^s, and 
are commonly called Fain Kin s or Circles. 

Kairif- have all tile passions and wants of men, but are 
great I- vers of cleanliness and propriety ; for the ob- 
serv in'--' ot which thev frequently reward servants, by 
droppmy money in Mieir shoes: they likewise severely 
punish sluts and slovens by pinching them black and blue. 
'They oft change their weakly and starveling elves or 
children, for the more robust offspring of men. But this 
can only be done before baptism, for which reason, it is 
still the cus+om in the Highlands to watch by the cradle 
of infants till they are christened. The term Changeling, 
now applied to one almost an idiot? attests the current be- 
lief of these mutations. 



I 






POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS. 18^ 

Some Fairies dwell in mines, and in Wales nothing is 
more common than these subterraneous* spirits, called 
knockers, who good-naturedly point out where there is a 
rid vein of lead or silver. 

In Scotland there were a sort of domestic Fairies, from 
their sun-burnt complex »ns called B (W ies : these were 
extremely useful, performing all sorts ui domestic drudge* 
17. 

SFCOND SIGHT 

So called, from be nv a supplemental faculty added to 
that of common vision wh» reby certain appearat <es, 

S reductive of 'future events, present themselves suddenly 
f»fore persons so gifted, without any desire on their pert 
to see them. Some make this faculty hereditary in r-er- 
tam persons It h asuperstttion confined to the Highlands 
of % cotland. the Weatern Isles, the Isle of Man, and some 
parts : Ireland. 

OMENS, CHARMS, AND DLVf NATION 

A scKt.KCH-o" l, flapping its win^s against the windows 
ofastck person's chamber, or screeching at h : m, por- 
tends death. 

A oal, in the shape of a coffin, flying out of the fire to 
any particular person, denotes hi* dertl. is not far off A 
collection of tallow rising up against ihe wick of a can- 
die, is styled a VV inding-sheet, and deemed an omen of 
mortality. 

Any person fasting on Midsummer Eve, and sitting in 
the church porch, will, at midnight, -ee the spirit 4 - <«f the 
persons of the pari-h v ho will-die that year, come and 
knock at the church door in the ord rand sucm ession in 
which they w ill die. 

Any unmarried woman fasting on Midsummer E\e, and 
at midnight laying a clean cloth, with bread, <heese. and 
ale, and siitin- do-, n, as < going to eat — the street door 
being left open — the person w horn she is afterwards to 
marry, will come into the room and drink to i;er by bow- 
ing, afterwards fill the glass, make another bow, and re- 
tire. 

The same important fact may be ascertained another 
way : At the first appearance of the New Moon, next 
sfteriVew Year's Day — though some say any other iNV.v 



190 POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS. 

Moon is as good — go out in the evening, and stand over 
the spars of a gate or stile, and, looking on the moon, re- 
peat the following lines : 

" All hail to the Moon ! all hail to thee ! 
I pr'ytheejgood v oon, reveal to me, 
This night, who my husband must be." 

Then go directly to bed, and you will dream of yourfu- ; 
ture husband 

A slice of the bride-cake, thrice drawn through the 
wedding ring, and laid under the head of an unmarried 
man or woman, will make them dream of their future 
wife or busba.id 

To discover a thief, take a sieve and shears ; stick the 
points of rhe shears in the wood of the sieve, and Sol ?wo 
persons support it, balanced upright witw their two fin- 
gers: then read a chapter in the Bible, and afterwards 
ask St Peter and St Puil if a eer'ain person, naming all 
you suspect, is the ?hWt On naming tt,e real thief, (lie 
sieve will turn suddenly round — N B This receipt may 
be very useful at Bow street, or ihe Old Bailey 

A ring made of the hinje of a coffin is good for the 
cramp. A halter, with which a man has been hanged, 
if tied about the head, will cure the head ache 

Touching a dead body prevents dreaming of it. 

A s'one, with a hole in it, hung at the bed's head, or 
two stones inside the bed, will prevent the nightmare: 
the former also pre nts Witches riding horses, for which 
purpose it is often lied to the stable key ' 

If a tree, of any kind, is split — and weak, rieketty,or 
ruptured children drawn through it, and afterwards the 
tree is bound together, so as to make it unite — as the tree 
heal- and grows together, so will the childacquire strength. 
This is a very ancient and wide-spread piece of super- 
stition Creeping through tolmen or perforated stones, 
was a Druidical ceremony, and at this day is practised in 
the East Indies Mr Borlace mentions a stime, in the 
parish of Morden, having a hole in it, fourteen inches 
diameter, through which many persons have crept for 
pains in their backs and limbs: and many children have 
been drawn for the rickets. In some parts of the North, 
children are drawn through a hole cut in the groanirg 
eheese, on the day they are christened. 



POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS. 191 

The wounds of a murdered person will bleed afresh, 
by sympathy, on the body being touched, ever so lightly, 
in any part by the murderer. 

When a person's cheek or ear burns, it is a sign that 
some one is then talking of him or her If it is on the 
right side, the discourse is to their advantage.; if on the 
left, to the contrary When the right eye itches, the par- 
ty affected will shortly cry ; if the left, they will laugh. 

Abracai»abka is a magical word ; and, written in a 
' puculiarform, will cure an ague 

It is eustomaay lor women to offer to sit cross-legged, 
to procure luck at cards for their friends. Sitting cross- 
legged, with the fingers inierlaced, was anciently deemed 
a magical posture 

It is deemexl lucky to be born with a caul or mem. 
brance over the face In France it is proverbial ; elre ne 
coifftt, \> an expression, sign tying that « person is ex- 
tremely fortunate, li is esteemed an infallible preserva- 
tive against drowning, and under that idea, is frequently 
advertised for sale tn ihe newspapers, and purchased by 
seamen. If bought by lawyers, it makes them js eloquent 
as Demosthenes or Cicero and procures a great deal of 
practice 

It is reckoned a good omen, if the sun shines on a 
couple coming out of the church after having bc^en mar- 
ried ft is also esteemed a good sign if it rains whilst 
a corpse is burying. 

" Happy is the bride that the sun shines on ; 
Happy is the corpse that ;he rain rains on." 

If in a family the youngest daughter shou'd be married 
before her elder sisters, *hey must all dance at her v^ ed- 
ding without shoes ; this will counteract their ill-luck, 
and procure them husbands 

If in eating you miss your mouth, and the victuals fall, 
it iS very unlucky, and denotes sickness. 

When a person goes out to transact business, I; is lucky 
to throw an old sh^e after him. 

It is a common practice among the lower class of huck- 
sters, or dealers in fruit or fish, on receiving the price of 
the first goods sold on that day. which thev call hansel, 
to spit on the money fr good luck , and boxers formerly 
used to spit in their hands, before they set-to, tor luck's 
c ak*\ 



192 POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS. 

Spilling of salt, crossing a knife and fork, or presentiii* 
a knife, scissors, or any sharp instrument, are all consid- 
ered unlu Ry, and to be avoided. 

Washing hands in the same bason, or with the same 
water, as another person has wa^ed in, is extremely un- 
lucky, as the parties will infallibly quarrel 

Whistling at sea i< supposed to cause an increase of 
wind, if not a storm, and, therefore, much disliked by 
seamen, though sometimes they themselves practise ft 
when there isa de;id - !<n 

The Hand / Glory a foreign piece of superstition, 
common in France, O rmany,and Spain ; and is a charm 
used by hou^e break ts and assass ns It is the hand of 
a handed man, holding a candle, made of the fat of a 
hanged man, virgin wax, and sisame of Lapland It 
stupifie* those to whom it is presented and renders them 
motionless, insomuch that they could not stir, any more 
tha i 

A .bike oi soot hanging at the bars of the gate, denotes 
the visit of a stranger A spark in the candle denotes 
taat i i U to it will shortly receive a letter. 

In setting a hei v to ptr. an odd number of 

eggs All sorts of remedies are directed to be tak a,— 
three, seven or nine times. Salutes with cannon con- 
sist of an odd number; a royal salute is thrice seven, or 
twenty one s;uns Healths are always drank odd. Vet 
the number thirteen is deemed ominous; it being held 
that when thirteen persons meet in a room, one of them 
will die within the year 

Mo; i persons break the shells of eggs, after they have 
eaten the meat : it is done to prevent their being used as 
boats by Witches. 

A coal flying out of the fire in the shape of a purse, 
predicts a sudden acquisition of riches 

Although the Devil can partly transform himself into 
any shape, he cannot change his cloven foot, by which 
he may be always known under every appearance. 



%* Tn concluding the article on Papular Superstitions, 
oiip cannot help adverting to the many advantages re- 
sulting to society trom the discoveries of science. "If 



POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS. i&| 

Ignorance be bliss," it must be confessed it is a bSiss not 
Unalloyed with inconveniences, from which superior in- 
telligence is exempted. Two of the greatest misfortunes 
of former tmes, were the absence of religious toleration, 
and the universal ignorance on (he cause? of natural phe- 
nomena : from the former flowed bloody wars, -relentless 
persecutions, massacres, burnings, and torturing* ; white 
the latter, if possible, was attended with still greaterca- 
lamities — because more minutely di if used, and tilling the 
minds of individuals of all ranks with in'Jesc hbable terrors 
and apprehensions. 

If knowledge had only dispell *d the single delusion re- 
specting spectral appearances, it would have conferred 
on maniLiqd incalculable advantages. The dread oftaese 
mysterious agents haunted men at home and abroad — by 
night and by day; and the fear they had of the burjar 
or assassin, was infinitely less than that of some ghastly 
spectre at the lonely hour of midnight: 

" Gloster. Oh Catesby, I have had such horrid dreams! 
Catesby Shadows, my lord — below the soIfjier'shee< 
Gloster Mow, by my this day's- hopes, shadows, to-night 
Have struck more terror to the on! or r ichard, 
Than an the substance of ten thousand soldiers, 
Arni'd all in proof" A(T v. Sc. 5. 

Such were the fears of one whose ■" firm nerves" were 
hot easily shaken, Let us then rejoice that all the trum- 
pery superstition of ghosts, witches, fairies, and omens, 
have gone to the "tomb >f 'he Oaprdets ;" let us give 
honour, too, to the illustrious nam-s — to the Bacons, 
Lockes, and Newtons, who have contributed to so blessed 
a consummation Grown people, at least, are now di* 
vested of fear at the sight of -an old woman; they can 
pass through a lone'y church '.yard, a ruined tower, over a 
wild heath, or even sleep in an old manor bouse— though" 
the wind whistle ever so shrill — without fear of super- 
natural visitations; and have become wise enough to 
trace private and public calamities to other causes than 
the crossing of knives, the cliek of an insect, or even the 
portentous advent of a comet ! 
17 



VULGAR ERRORS. ■ 
FoputAR superstitions may be ranked among Vulgar 
Erro£«, and might have been included under that head; 
but, for greater distinction, I shall -class those mistaken 
notions which either do now, or did formerly, circulate 
among the common people, under a separate article. 

The wonderful discoveries of science in the !a?t centu- 
ry have greatly augmented the list of Vulgar Errors, by 
proving many facts, w Inch even the learned ot a former 
age believed true, entirely unfounded In the Works of 
Sir H"Mas Br.;.. lied in 16 6, there is an in- 

quiry into Common and Vulgar Errors, in which the wri- 
ter displays great learning and ingenuity ; yet. so partial 
is the enlightenment of the author, thaj he entertains the 
, popular notion that lights burn blue in the presence of 
'"apparitions, and gravely attempts jlo explain the tact on phi- 
losophical principles ! What a host oi learned errors have 
pat to (light, almost ?n the memory of (lie oresent 
age, in the twc sciences of ehem.stry an j polificai econo- 
my !■ It was formerly believed that crystals were only ice 
or snow strongly congealed ; that the flesh of the pea- 
c o -k never putrefied'; that water was an elementary 
fluid, and rose in the common pump from the horror 
Nature hi d of a vacuum The truths of political econo- 
my are still too much contested for us "to be able to deter- 
mine the facts we ought to include among the errors of 
that science ! but I think we may reckon as such all 
that relate *o the bounties and prohibitions of the' com- 
mercial system, the influence of rent, tithe, and .wages 
on the prices of commodities : and the effect of taxation 
on public happiness. In polities, too, one migln enume- 
rate a long list of error- which were formerly current, but 
wb;ch are m such as, tha: the 

poor rate originated in tbJ§9HTd of Elizabeth; that tjie 
land tax and f ndmg system commenced at the Revolu- 
tion .in I6>8 *, that Mi. Pitt wa ? the author of the sinking 
fuud thai the ..miraculous powers of borrowed money 
and i ompound interest would liquidate *he national debt} 
and the French Revolution was caused by the extrava- 
gant writings of Rousseau, helvetius, and a fccw other 
theorists It is not, however, intended in this place to 
give an account of the » follies of the wise,' bu4 o j the 
ignorant, so as to complete the picture of ;he intelligence 
and manners of an antecedent state of society. 



ERRORS IN NATURAL HISTORY. 1$3 

I LEGAL ERRORS. 

The Hon Daines Barrington, in his Observations on 
the Statutes, observes, that there is a general vulgar error 
that it is not lawful to go about with a dark lantern; all 
popular errors, he adds, have sonic foundation, and the 
regulation in the reign of Edward, that no one should 
• appear in the streets without a light, was probably the oc- 
casion of this 

It is an error that a surgeon or butcher may be chal- 
lenged iwjururs, roni 'lie supposed cruelty of their business. 

It rs erronenu ly supposed !p be penal to open a coal- 
mine, or t > kill a crow within fiv< onion ; this 
lass probably t;n>k its rise from a statute of Henr) VII, 
prohibiting the u-e of aefo-s-bow 

It is an error ? hat the body of a debtor may be taken in 
execution after bis death ; which, h T as practised 

i. Prussia before Frede abolished it by the 

CtsU Fr&feriqut 

It is an err ir thai ? the death-warrant, as 

it i^ called* for the -execution <>f a criminal ; as also, that 
there is a Utute which pbhges the owners of asses to crop 
their ears, lest the length ot them «hould frighten the 
horsestiiey m et on the roaji- 

(I i* a nistaken notion that a woman'? marrying a man 
under die gallows w ill save him from execution This, 
probably, aro-e trom the wife having brought an appeal 
against the murderer of her husband ; who. afterwards 
repenting the prosecution of her lover, not only forgave 
the offence, but was willing to marry the appellee. 

It is a common errcr that belong to 

Stepney parish \ is -n a mrn de- 

sire- tntairry a woman ivhq is in de it, if betake her ir nn 
the hands of the minister, clothed only in her chemise, 
that he will not be liable to h 

For a persan 10 ieces>ai he 

.shorn".! leave 

1 ^ v! no mav be put into the 

Crown OiSct for no cause t*'hatev<»r or die most trifling injury, 

ERRORS IN WTURAL HISTORY. 

The stori^' - but o e phoenix in the world, which 

any hundred \ears burns her-eif an* from her 

. er breast with her 
•eak, to draw blood tor her youngs that the eameteon lives 



m PrCTORTAL ERRORS. 



only upon air; of the bird of paradise, and of the unicorn 
are all fabulous. 

It is an error that the scorpion stings itself when surrounded 
by five, and thai music has power over persons bitten by it; 
tba Hie mole has no e\. s nor elephant knees, that ihe 
hedge hog is a mischievous animal, particularly that lie sucks 
cow- when they are asleep, aud causes their teats to be sore. 
aid the porcupine shoots out its quills for annoying its 
enem.', whereas itonl'v « i ds then annualh as other feathered 
anii'-.as do. Thejackall is commonly called tht*4ion J provi- 
der nu? t I rv no connectou with the lion. The bite of the 
spider is n< f venomous — it is found too in Ireland plentifully 
— has no dirhke to fxing ifs web on !ri^h oak. and has no 
ilar aversion to a toad, 
ass v as vulgarly thought to have had a cross on its 
back eve» since Christ rode J on one of those animals; it was 
also helievea the haddock had the mark of St. 1 'eter's thumb, 
ever since St. Hetei took the tribute penny out of a fish of that 
species. 

It was anciently believed, says Brand- that the barnacle, a 
common sh< 11 fish which is found sticking on the bottom of 
shins, would, when broken off. becon e a spec es of goose. 
Nor is it less a error tl at bears frfru their cu !, s by bcking 
thru- ii-«o shape : or that storks will only live in republics and 
free states. 

> Hose ofJricho^ which was feigned to flourish every 
vear about Christ, a fcive, is famous in tie annals of credu- 
lity : hut, like the no les- celebiated lt Glastonbury Thorny* 
is onlv a n onk'sh imposture. 

ft is com i \\ believer! and even proverbial, that puppies 
one d •) -s. but the fact is. they do not see till the twelfth 
or fourteen' ' . 

PCT< R \L KRFORS. 

T'heco..ne)n practice of exhibiting St. Ceorge killing a 

v. ; s a kind's daughter stan-img by. is a vulvar error 

for which trove » no an horitiR it is even doubtful whether 

1 hat the i,vb ddec fruit *■ ennoned in Genesis^ was an ap- 
p'e is genera ;iv believe; roi fumed by tradit or* perpetuate^ 
by writing, verses and pictures but without authority. 

Hie umliillcalrord is known to appertain o-ly to the -loetus; 
and as "dam and Eve never were m that state. Sir I nomas 
Browne notices the vulgar error of exhibiting them in pictures 
with navels. 

The same writer also- remarks the common practice of 
picturu : Moses with hoins on his head, for which there is no 
. authomT— and it does notappear be was ever married. 



-■ 



F ORS o.\ viArs. 

rrks. folio. 
■ this is a a par 

•o the lattej 

trroi ,? au-i that tneyare 

th Hay, 

- 

;i»f. it an-; tit confoi 

tioji of the t 1 .' n s^xe* 

Thai a an lra~ one rib les- than a aigai error ; 

both ii e 

!t wa- ai lucive to a 

man's health to be drunk once 

63 ua- called rhe ■ con- 

side^* 

Thai asan- 

ie is better or worst' lor M»hi2 of a pa 
proie^ion : 
errors. 

HISTORICAL 1 

Sir Thomas Browne -p. 
Tart a The pop* 

lar s.t 

street- .it^^Hesi*!- 

ol th; J court 

ceilus. are, doublings histor ca: lienor 11 

it is related that Crassufl the grandfather ot 
wealth - -hat wasat 

'hat Jesus Ch/ist uf 




198 MFSCFLLANEOUS ERRORS. 

Many vulgar errors prevail respecting • ; ypsies, and coun-'^f 
terfeit oors. They are said to have come originally from 
Es>pi and their present state to be a judgme- t of God upon 
them for refusing to enler-tam the Virgin Mary and Jesus, on 
then flight into Egypt. i'litj existed in Egyp- long before 
this occurrence, where 'l^y were considered strangeis. They 
were railed 'Bohemians in fiacre where ihey first appeared 
from Germany. am J poke the Sclavouian language. I hey were 
at one time noumenai ced by the Turks: suffered to keep 
stew in the suburbs of Constantinople, and employed by 
then- as spies among other nations, for which they were ba- 
nished by the En peror ( haiies MieFiJth. 

WSCfcXL'ANEOUK ERRORS. 

Fro*" the rising of the Dog star the ancients computed their 

canicular days, concerning which there if- an opinion, that 

dmiih mose days all uld be declined and the cure 

ie<; to nature this season is called the Physici&Ws va- 

cation, 

lormeriy Sieved, thai the tenth wave was more dan- 
gerous and ?h«> n-nm eiig larger rhan an\ oti er. 

fie r.nu was formerly worn on the 1< urtfe finger of the left 
hard from a supposition that a particular nerve n that part 
cm umcated isnth t! e heart. ^ 

Eovargue include; in i is l Catalogue of Vulgar Errors," 
the notion os L< lidoners, that they have wit enough t<» impose 
on c untrymen. •' 1'his etror" says he. ' ch:eii> pioceeris 
from the onward appearance of countrymen, when they, 
arrive at the metropolis. They are strnck with the grandeur 
of the place aim on that account keep their heads up n the 
air as if they were contemplating some phenomenon in the 
Then, I eir clones being cahuiated for strength 
and wear or spun thick which- gives then' a stiff awkward 
this is not a 'little augmented by the robust labour 
thev da.i\ undergo*. ! I ;~ awkwardness joined toaii absence 
w, jh the contemplation in any ti -.ng fine's sure to beget, 
gh diversion for the Londoners, w ho are apr to put 
trick.-, uj ( n them and tax them with want of apprehension." 
—pp. :>2-3 a 

The same au ; or also reckon*- among Vulgar Errors, that | 
the taiian (Itaera consists oi effeminate music that nothing 
y *h nnetn but w ha: is in rhyme that k eking up the heels be- 
i;m and twisting roimd on one leg is fi* e skating that the 
jnWea,nmumtioe isput into a fow ling p ece;.^he ore execu- 
tion it w 11 do and t at using hard words arra long sentences 
is a prooi'oi scholarship. 



Jmm 



ANALYSIS 



WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS, 



AND OF THE 



jFathra of tftc €iiurcft. 






.*% 




AVANT-PROPOS. 



" The Wisdom of the Ancients !"— «mph ! I fancy T see, 
Jeremy Bentham turn up bis no.-e at this proemiuin. I con- 
fess, ! am no great admirer of the ancients — their taciturnity, 
their contempt of riches, the scurvy manner they treated the 
women, their pride, and affected love of solitude — though the 
last has been extolled by the Caledonian phenomenon — are 
not congenial to my taste. Lnt there is always danger in 
passing from one extreme to another. lt%as the fatbion of the 
two last cerrturies to exalt the ancients to she tides --we 
imbibed the idolatry with Greek and Latin at Eton and the 
Universities,- -but now, forsooth, they are to be placed on a 
level with the Goths and Vandals. This is too bad. Mr. 
Bentham will hardly den^thiat the few maxims here culled out 
of their writings, contains at least many sound principles on 
government, legislation, and human life — and even that the 
Most i;oly and Reverend Fathers, St Yugustine St. Bernard, 
St. Chrysostome, St. Basil, and the rest, have furnished 
hundreds of good precepts, by which a man may choose a 
wife, eat, drink, and sleep, and go through life generally as 

•well now as two thousand years ago, allowing a little for the. 

' change of manners and trite season?. 






T* 



SELECT SAYINGS AND MAXIMS 

OF THE 

ANCIENTS AND FATHERS OF THE CHURCH. 

ANGER. 

Mit nNF.ss governs more than anger — Publius Syrus. 
No man is nee whfr5noes not command himseli — Pythagoras. 
He who cannot command himself, it is folly to think to com- 
mand others — Laberius. 
He injures the absent who contends with an angryman — Pub- 
lius Syrus. ^t^k 
An angry man is again angry with himself, when he returns 

to reason — Publtus Syrus. 
Women are sooner angry than men. the sick than the Wealthy, 

and old men than young n*en — Hermes. 
He overcomes a stout enemy, that overcomes his own anger. 

Chilo. 
He best keeps from anger, who remembers that God is always 

looking upon him Plato 
An angry man opens his mouth and shuts his eyes:— Cato. 
The an^er of a good man is the hardest to bear. — Publius 
Syrus. 

ANCESTORS. 

What can the virtues of our ancestors profit us, if we do not 

imitate them ? 
Great merits ask grea«t rewards, and great ancestors virtuous 

issues 

To be qfen ble parentage, and not to be endowed with noble 
qualities, is rather a defamation than a glory, 



202 WISDOM? OF THE ANCIENTS, AND 



MANNERS. 

Be not too brief in conversation, lest you be not understood ; 
nor too diffuse, lest you be troublesome — Prutagcras. 

We must not c ncradict, but instruct him that v contradicts 
us; for a madman is iOt cured by another running mad 
also — Antistkenes. 

To a man full of questions make no answer at all. — Plato. 

•-ucu as give ear to slanderers are worse than slanderers them- 
selves. —DomUian. 

He conquers twice, who conquers himself in victory. — Publius 
Syrus. 

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 
Solomon. 

lie is well constituted who grieves not for what he has not, 
and rejoices for what he ha.-. — Democriius. 

impose not a burden on others, which thou cannot bear thy- 
self — Laberius. 

A cheerful manner commonly denotes a gentle nature; where- 
as, a sour countenance is a manliest sign of a froward dis- 
position :-./4ndw 

Consider pleasures as they depart, not as thev come. — Aris- 
totle. 
Such as are careless of themselves can hardly be mindful of 

others. — Tf tales. 
Sobriety without sullenness is commendable, and mirtrt with 

mooesty delectabke. 
Nothing is more hard to honest pe; pie. thf^j to be denied the 

liberty of speaking their minds 
What one knows, it is useful Emetines to forget. — Publius 

Syrus. 
There are more mockers than well-meaners, and more foolish 

quips than _ood precepts. 
In conversation, avoid the extremes of petulance and reserve, 

— Cato. 
, .Where the deoiand is a jest, the fittest answer is a scoff.— - 
* Archimedes. 
Aristotle says, when you can have aiiy ^ood things take it ; 

arid riato says, if you do not take it, you are a great cox- 
• comb. ' „,•# % i 



* 



FATHERS OF THE CHURCH. 203 

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken 

spirit dr:t!ch the bones. — Solomon. 
They that slander the dead are like envious dogs, that bark 

and bite at bones. — Zeno. 
Nature has given us two ears, two eves, and but one tongue ; 

to the end, we should hear and see more than we speak.— 

Socrates. 
Keep thy tongue, and keep ihv friend fo||Fe\v words covet 

much wisdom, and a fool being silent is thought wise 
Proud looks lose hearts, bu r courteous worWs win them.— 

Ferdin. 
He that knows how to speak, knows also when to be silent. — 

Archimedes. 
To expose one's self to great dangers for trivial advantages, is 

to fish With a golden hook, where more may be lost than 

gained. — Augustus Coesar 
We ought either to be silent, or to speak things that are het- 

ter than silence. — Pythagoras 
Deride not the unfortunate. — Chilo. g^j 

EATING AND DRINKING. 

Wine has drowned more than the se&.—Publius Syrus. 
The belly is an unthankful bealst, never requiting the plea- 
sure done, but continually craving more than it needs.— 

Crates. 
The wicked man lives to eat and drink, but the good eats and 

drinks to live — Plutarch. 
The belly is the commanding part of the body. — Homer. 
The first draught a man drinks ought to he for thirst, the 

second for nourishment, the third for pleasure, and the 

fourth for madness — Anackarsis. 
l Exces? came from Asia to Rome : Ambition came from Rome 

to all the worl . 
Drunkenness is a bewitching devil, a pleasant poison, and a 

sweet sin — Augustine. 
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Jian a stall 

and hatred therewith — Solomon. g 



£04 WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS, AND 



ELOQUENCE. 

Brevity is a great praise of eloquence. —Cicero. 

Orators are mos' vehement when they have the weakest 

cause, as men get on horseback when the\ cannot warlk— - 

C cero. 
It is easy to de%fid the innocent . but who i- eloquent enough 

to defend the guilty?— Puhlius Syrus, 
An orator witnb'ui judgment is a horse without a brirtle. — 

JliiCi'phratvs 

As the grace of nan is in the mind, so the beauty of the 
mind is eloquence — Cicero 

Asa vessel is known bjKtne sound; whether it he cracked or 
not; so men are proved by their speeches, whether they 
be wi^e or roohsh —Demosthenes. 

Eloquence is of two kinds that of the heart, which is called 
divine; the oilier external and merely the or^an of con- 
cars, thoughts, and sophistry. — L'icerM'- 

Unprofitable eloquence is like the cypress, which is great and 
tail, hut b.ars no fruii — Anon 

Poets are born, but orators are made — Anonr 

FRIENDSHIP 

Friendship is stronger than kindred — Publius Syrus. 
Beprove thy friend privately ; commend him publicly. — ■ 

Solon. "' 
It is better to decide a difference between enemies than 

friends ; for one or our friends will certainly Oecon e an 

enemy, and one of our enemies a friend — Bias 
Go slowly to the entertainments of thy friends, but quickly 

to their misfortr ties — Ckilo. 
It is no small grief to a good nature to try his friends.— 

Fmripides. 

FOLLY. 

it is much better for a man to conceal his folly and ignorance 

than to discover the same. 
There can be no greater folly in man, than by much labour 

to increase his goods, and with vain pleasure to lose his 

soul. — Gresrofty. 



FATHERS OF THE CHURCH. 205 

There is more hope of a fool, than him that is wise in his own 

conceit. — Solomon. ' 
It is g. eat folly for a man to muse much on such things as 

pass his understa> cling 
The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise 

man is in his jieart — Sirach. ^ 

INDUSTRY. 

Learn some useful art, so that you may be independent of 

♦ the caprice of fortune. — Colo. 

Idleness is the sepulchre of a living man.— Anselm, 

It is not for a man in authority to sleep a whole night.— < 
Homer. 

Flee sloth ; for the indolence of the soul is the decay of the 
bod^' — Catq. 

When a man goes out, let him consider what he is to do 5 
when he returns, what he has done — Cleobulus. 

The three thm^Pniost difficult are — to keep a secret, to for- 
get an pnjury, and to make good use of leisure. —Cfiilo. 

Prosperity engenders sloth. — Livy. 

JUSTICE. 

Valour would cease to be a Virtue, if there, were no injustice, 

— Jigesilwus 
Dela\ in punishment is no privilege of pardon 
Not the pain, but the cause, makes the martyr —Ambrose. 
It becomes not a law maker to be a law-breaker — Bias. 
Four things belong to a judge, to hear courteously, to answer 

wisely, to consider soberly, and to give judgment without 

partiality. — Socrates. 
ISo man may be both accuser and judge. — Plutarch. 
The accused is not guilty till he be convicted.— Lactantius^ 

KINGS AND L\WS. 

General calamities imply, in kings, general imbecility. ^ 
Kings ought to be environed with good-will, instead of 

guards .— Bias, 
U is the fault of princes if they are not esteemed : as thev 
J 8 



206 WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS, AND 

always have it in their power to procure the love of their 

subjects. — Philip of Macedon. 
The king'? wrath is as the roaring of a lion, but his favour is 

as the dew on the grass. — Solamon. 
The prince that is feared of many must, of necessity, fear 

many. 
A king ruleth as he ought, a tyrant as he lists ; a king to the 

profit of all, a tyrant -only to please a few — Aristotle. 
Kings ought to shun the company ot the vioious, for the evil 

they commit in his company is accounted his — Plato. 
It little profits a prince to be ruler of many kingdoms, and the 

slave of many vices. 
A king ought to take good heed to his counsellors, in noting 

who soothe his lusts, and who intend the punlic profii. — 

Plutarch. 
Where the love of the people is assured, the designs of the 

seditious are thwarted. — Bias. 
A good prince is not the object of fear. — Diogenes. 
A prince ought to be aware not only othis enemies, but his 

flattering friends — Dionysius 
The public has more interest in the punishment of an injury, 

than he who receives it. — Cato the Elder. 
As ignorant governors bring their country into many incon- 
veniences, so such as are devilishly politic utterly over- 
throw the state. — fi^on 
Justice ought to be the rule to the will of kings. — Antigonus. 
Law* not executed are of no value, and as well not made as 

not practised. 
To make an empire durable, the magistrates must obey the 

laws, and the people t e magistrates — Solon. 
Laws are not mad? tor the good. — Socrates. 
Kinas ought to be kings in all things. — Adrian. 
Royalty consists not in vain pomp, but in great virtues.— 

Agesilaus. 

LIFE AND DEATH. 

An honourable death is better than an inglorious life.— 
3 Socrrtes 

He who fears death has already lost the life he covets.— 
Cato. 



FATHERS OF THE CHURCH. 207 

No man is so old but thinks be may yet live another year. — 

Hieronimus. 
We shpuld live as though our life would be both long and 

•short — Bias 
We had better die at once, than to live constantly in fear of 

death — Dion. 
Life is short, yet sweet. — Euripides. 

LOVE. 

To love and be wise, is scarcely possible to a God. — Publius 
Syrus. 

A lover's soul lives in the body of his mistress — Plutarch. 

Love heats the brain, and anger makes a poet— Juvenal. 

A man has choice to begin love, but not to end it. 

True love is never idle, but worketh to serve him whom he 
k)vmh — Augustine 

An incensed lover shuts his eyes, and tells himself many lies. 
— Publius Syrvs. 

Love is incompatible with fear — Publius Syrus. 

The approaches ol love must be resisted at the first assault 
lest they undermine at the second — Pythagoras. 

Love is a sweet tyrami), because the lover etidureth his tor- 
ments willingly - JVipbas. '- 

Sophocles being asked wha 1 imjurvhe would wi^h to his ene- 
my re-plied, l * that he ight love where he was not loved 
again " 

Love teaches music, though a man be unskilful. — Anon. 

RICHES AND POVERTY. 

Prefer lo s to unjust gain. 

Fortune gives to many too much, but to none enough.— 

Labi rius. 
Men would live exceedingly quiet if these two words, mint 

and thin , were taken away — Anaxagoras 
It is a rare miiacle for money to kck a faster. — Bias. 
Need teaches things unlawful —Seneca, 
He who lives after nature, shall never be poor ; after opinion. 

shall never be rich. — Seneca. 
Praise no* the unworthy on account of thei* wealth.— Sim** 



208 WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS, AND 

He is truly rich, who desires nothing ; and he is truly poor, 

who covets all — So fori. 
Men are neither suddenly rkh n«or suddenly good,-— Latyerius. 
If rich, be not elated . if poor, be not rejected. — Socrates. 
If thou knowest how to use money, it will become thy hand- 

uaaid if not, it will become thy master. — Dwdorus. 
He is richest who is contented with least; for^ content is the 

wealth ol agnation — Socrates. 

PUBLIC OFFICERS. 

Men in authority are eyes in a state, according to whose 
life every man applieth his manner of living 

The buyers of offices sell by retail what they buy in gross. 

The most useful wisdom is — when public officers practise 
what philosophers teach. 

Where offices are vendible, there the best monied block- 
head bears the greatest sway. 

Tho^ ! whit> sell offices sell the most sacred things in ttye world, 
even justice itself, public prosperity, the people, and the 
laws. ' 

TRUTH. 

Custom, though ever so ancient, without truth, is but an old 

error -- Cyprian. L 

If thou speakest what thou w*lt, thou shalt hear what thou 

would not Bias 
He who conceals an useful truth, is equally guilty with the 

propagator of an injurious falsehood. — Augustine. 
Good men are sometimes in greatet danger from speaking the 

truth, than evil men from speak.fig falsely. — Pluutus. 

TIME. 

Nothing is more precious than time, yet nothing less valsed. 

— - Be i ntrd. 
No grief is so acute but time ameliorates it. — Cicero. 
Things past may be repented, but not recalled. — Livy. 
* A piniosopher being asked — what was the first thing necessa- 
ry to win the iove of a woman, answered— opportunity. 
Time is the herald of truth. —Cicero. 



FATHERS OF THE CHURCH. 2t9 

VIRTUE. 

it is difficult to persuade mankind that the love of virtue is 

the love of themselves — Cicero. 
Some, by admiring other men's virtues, become enemies to 

their own vices Bias. 
The remembrance of a well-spent life is sweet. 
Praise is the hire of virtue.- Cicero. 
In doing what we ought we deserve no praise, because it is 

our duty. — Augustine. 
W§at you would not have done to yourselves, never do to 

other s.j* Alexander Sevtrus. 
One ought to remember kindnesses received, and forget those 

we have done.- Ckilo 
A righteous man regarrieth the life of his beast, but the ten- 
der mercies of the wicked are cruel.— Solomon. 
•Do good to v ou i (||end. t'-at he mav be more wholly }'Oursi 

toyour enemy, that he may beea»ne your friend.-- Chobulus> 
Such as have virtue aiway in thei.i luithd, anc iitgject it 

in practice, are. hfce a harp, which emits a sound pleasing to 

others, while itself is insensible of the music— Diogenes. 
A good man cares not for the leproofs of evil men.— Dmo* 

critu . 
Every thing great is not always good, but all good things are 

great. D mosthtnes. 
Covet nothing over much. — Ghilo. 
A soul conversant with virtue, resemble a fountain : for it is 

clear, and gentle and sweet, and communicative, and rich, 

and harmless, and innocent.— Epictetus. 
Satan is a subtle angler, a no 1 uses great cunning in the casting 

of his net, and searching out the rein of water where every 

one is delighted.— Basil. * 

In childhood b( j modest, in youth temperate, in mantiood just, 

in old age prudent — Socrates. 
He that helps the wicked, hurts the good — .Crates. 
What we have in us of the image of God is the love of truth 

and justice. — Demosthenes. 
Diversity of religion is the ground of persecution, in show ; 

but it is ambition, in effect. 
The end of a dissolute life is, commonly, a desperate death, 

is* 



I 



210 WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS, AND 




Virtue maketh men on the earth famous, in their graves illus- 
trious in the foeavews immortal. — Chilo, 
Nothing is profitable which is dishonest. — Cicero. 
He the* works wickedness by another, is guilty 'of the fact 

Committed himself. — Bias. 
A .Work well begun is half ended.— Plato. 
We shquld never remember the benefits we have conferred 

nor fo»get the favours received. — Chilo. 
TheevH s r ravs not while under the guidance of reason. — 
« P bftus Syrus. - ^ 

If you pursue good with labour, the labour passes away 9&d 

the good remains: but if you pursue pleasure witj^evil, the 

pleasure passes away and the evil remains. — Cicero. 
The judge must be condemned, when he absolves the guilty. 

— Publius Syrus. 
Everv vice has a cloak, and creeps in under the name of a 

virtue. 
Ingenuous shame, once lost, is never regained. — Publius 

8>jrus. 
By cithers' vices, wise men amend their own. — Publius Syrvs. 
Trust no secrets to a friend which, if reported, 'would bring 

infam y . — Tkales. ^ 

It is a noble satisfaction to be ill spoken of, when we are con- 
scious of doing what is right.—- Alexander, King of Ma- 

cedon. 
We cannot control the tongues of others, but a good life 

enables us to despise calumniers. — D Cato. 
The vicious obey their passions, as slaves do their masters. — 

Diogenes. 
Wicked men cannot be friend , either among themselves or 

with the goot'. — Socrates. 
Vices that are famdmr we pardon, and only new ones repre- 
hend. Publius ^frus- 
Virtue, though momeniarily shamed, cannot he extinguished. 

— Publius Syr'As 
Everv one should make the case of the injured his own. — 

Solon. 
The way to make ourselves admired, is to be what we affect 
jpk to be thought.— Socrates. 
Virtue, and not the laws and ordinances of men, is the rule 

of a ^'ise man.— Antisthenes. 
No one ever lost his honour, except he who had it not— 

Publius Sijrns, 



FATHERS OF THE CHURCH. 211 

The most wicked, at heart, abhor the crimes they commit.— 

Publius Syrus. 
Successful t;uilt is the bane of society. — Publius Syrus. 
Vice is the most dangerous,, when it puts on the semblance of 

virtue. — Publius Syrus. 

WISDOM. 

Ignorant men differ from beasts only in their figure. — 
Clennthes 

It i'sjess pam to learn in youth, than to be ignorant in age.— 
Solon. 

The wise onlv profit by hearing the wisdom of others.— , 

' Publius Syrus. 

Wisdom provides tilings necessary, not superfluous. — Solon. 

A wise man is never less alone than when he is alone.— 
. Ambrose. , v ) 

He must be a wise nan himself, who is capable of distin- 
guishing one. — Diogenes. 

Wisdom adorns riches, and shadows poverty. — Socrates. 

Learning is an ornament in prosperity, a refuge in adversity, 
and ihe" best provision in old age. — Aristotle. 

They who educate children well, are more to be honoured, 
than they who produce them ; for these only gave them 
life, those the art of living well. — Aristotle. 

It is no -name for a man to learn that he knoweth not, what- 
ever a^e he may be — Isocrates. 

To know and not be able to perform, is doubly unfortunate. 
— Solon. 

Alexander the threat valued learning so highly, that he used 
to say, '' that he was more indebted to Aristotle for giving 
him knowledge, than to his father Philip for life." 

Socrates thanked God for three things ;— first that he was 
born a man md not a woman ; second that he was bom a 
Grecian ; and thirdly, that he was a philosopher. 

He is sufficiently well learned, that knows how to do well, 
and ha? power enough to refrain from evil — Cicero. 

Arro^anco is the obstruction of wisdom. — Bion 

One part of knowledge consists in being ignorant of such 
things as are not worthy to be known.— CWtes. 

Wise men, though ali laws were abolished, woul lead the 
same lives, — Aristophanes. . 



m WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS, &e. 

knowledge, without education, if but armed injustice.— 
Horace. 

It is better to be unborn than untaught ; for ignorance is the 
root of misfortune. -Plato. 

Wise men are instructed by reason men of less understand- 
ing bv experience ; the most ignorant by necessity , and 
beasts by nature. — Cicero 

Atistippus being a^ked what he learnt by philosophy, replied 
he • learnt to live well with all the world.' 

It is loss evil that ignorance should despise than tyrannise. 
— Publius Syrus. 

WOMEN. 

A wanton eye is a messenger of an unchaste heart. — 

Augustine. 
A beautiful and chaste woman is the perfect/Tvork man ship of 

God, the true glory of angels, the rare miracle of the earth, 

and sole wonder of the world. — Hermes. 
As no man can tell where a shoe pincheth better than he that 

wears it, so no man can tell a woman's disposition better 

than he that hath wedded her — Marcus Aurelius' 
Beauty in the faces of women, and folly in their hearts, be 

two worms that fret life and waste goods 
W 7 omen that are chaste when they are trusted, prove wantons 

when they are unjustly suspected 
Trust not a woman when she weepeth, for it is her nature to 

weep when she wanteth her will. — Socrates. 
Whoso findeth a whe, xindeih a good thing — Solomon. 
Woman erther loves or hates ; her affections know no me- 
dium. — Plubius Syrus. 
It is a blind man's question to ask, why those things are loved 

which are oeautiful. 
Women that paint themselves to seem beautiful, do clearly 

deface the image of their Creator. — Ambrose 
$J«ver praise a man for being like a woman, nor a woman, for 

resembling a man — Padwetus. 
Humblt wt clock is better than proud virginity. — Augustine. 
Marriage, with peace, isthft world's paradise ; with strife, this 

life's purgatory. 






MISCELLANEOUS MAXIMS. 213 

A woman without dowry has no liberty to speak. — Euripides. 

The Grecian lad es counted their age from their marriage, not 
their birth.— Horner. 

As a jewel of gold in a hog's snout, so is a fair woman with- 
out virtue. — Solomon, 



MISCELLANEOUS MAXIMS. 



As we must rendet an account of every idle word, so must 

we likewise of our idle silence — Ambrose. 
A filthy subject defrauds Poetry of her due praise. 
Advise not what is most pleasant, but what is most useful. — 

Solon. i 

•# 

Actions measured by time, seldom prove bitter by repentance. 

M As 1 am Antonius,"said the emperor, " Rome is my city 
and my country . but as ! am a man, the world." 

Adultery desires ho procreation but pleasure — Ansdm. 

As sight is in the eye, so is the mind in the soul — Sophocles. 

A stranger, if just, is not only to be preferred before a coun- 
tryman, but a kinsman — Paihagoras 

Be always at leisure to do good ; never make business an ex- 
cuse to decline the offices of humanity. — M. Aureliv.s. 

Bear, and blame not, what you cannot change. — Publius 
Syrus. 

Charity is the scope of all God's commands.— Chrysostome. 

Cato said " he nad rather people should inquire why he had 
not a statue erected to his memory than why he had." 

Christ s coat indeed had no seam, but the church's vesture is 
•f divers colours.— Ambres?. 



MISCELL \NEOUS MAXIMS. 



m 



Courage consists not in hazarding without fear, but in bein* 
resolutely minded in a just cause — Plutarch. 

Conscience is the chamber of justice — Origen. 

Divinity cannot be defined — Politeuphia. 

Depend not on fortune, but conduct.— Publius Syrus. 

Dignity does not consist in possessing honours, but deserving 
them.— Aristotle. 

Fame is the perfume of heroic deeds. ^-Socrates. 

Fortune has now power over discretion.— Sokn. 

Flattery i9 like friendship in show, but not in fruit. — 
Socrates. 

Fortitude i9 the mean between fear and rashness. 

Fortune, dreads the brave, and is only terrible to the cow- 
ard. — Seneca. 

He who fears his servents is less than a servant. — Pyblius 
Syrus. 9 

He is a worthless being who lives only for him self.— Ibid. 

He denies himself, who as^s what it is impossible to grant.— 
Publius Syrus. 

However wretched a fell >w mortal may be, he is still a mem- 
ber of our common species. — Seneca. 

He threatens many who injures one. — Publius Syrus. 

Hope is a working man's dream —Pliny. 

He is rioubh- sinful who congratulates a successful knave.— 
Publms Syrus. 

It is as hard for the good to suspect evil, as it is for the bad to 
suspect good. — Cicero. 

It is difficult keeping that which is admired by , many.— ~ 
Public Syncs. 

It is a fraud to borrow what we are not able to repay. — Ibid' 

It is cruelty to the innocent not to punish the guilty- — Ibid. 

Know thyself. ~Chilo. 

Labour is a mortal enemy to love, and a deadly foe to fancy. 

Light cares speak, great ones are dumb. — Seneca. 

Memory tempers prosperity, mitigiates adversity, controls 
youth, and delights old age.—Lactantius. 

Moderate honours are wont to augment, but immoderate to 
diminish.— T/ieopomptm. 



*«*. 



MISCELLANEOUS MAXIMS. 2 15 

Necessity make war to be just.— BiasJ^ 
Nothing is more easy than to deceive one's self, as our «fer 
I tions are subtle persuaders. -Demosthenes. 
Of things above we judge from things below ; 
Whence can we reason but from what we know — Cato 

Great 16 ""^ * ^^ ^ ° f P 1 * *™-^*«^ to 

° P -XLt e §reat Pillai WhJCh Uph ° lds the C °«wealth. 
Prosperity makes friends, and adversity tries them.-P™,, 

'te^^a that *• seems ejth - h - *x 

Patience under old injuries invites new on M AP„Ar o 

Pardon other- often, thvself „ev r. -ft* ^ ^ ^. 

Regard not dreams, since ihev are Out n e , maflo r 

and fears.-G^J. * liG lma § es ° f °ur hopes 

Remove not tbe anient lai.d-marksvvhirn lh c L 
set. -.sWu//«o«. v" • th ^ fathe " have 

Suspect the meaning, and regard not speeches sr , 

, Speec:, ,s the gnt D , an, but t, ought of Z 1^7^' 

Sud.ien movements „. .1, ? Ieu --^. tWo. 

S reat^„Z: s e "eat°ev 1 'lS:lr ten *""* ° m ™™ f " 
Success consecrate, the toui, s , cimes.-S^ 

sor;::: > ';;r 1 ;r; he *; :oe5 not A^i. 

the sa,ne thing. _Z>^^. eddra " d adV ' Ce '° *. old, i s 
To be cbmmended by those who mkht blame »M, , 

x^ost heitghtm, pleasures cloy ; ithout - v ^ PubUus 

"jUSSE** 1 Vir,U ° US ^ tbe ™»«U of the goed ._ 
T ot e raW d S r ° USOf WM beasts » * ^nderer; oft aine 

T fc r ^o^K^r feta ^^ 






2i*> MISCELLANEOUS MAXIMS. 

4. 

The praise of a wise man i> worto a whole theatre of others. 
— Pitta-cus. 

The remembrance of past calamities is painful.— Publivt 
Syrus., 

The useful and the beautiful arc never apart.-*- Periavjder. 

There can be no affin ty nearer than our country. — Plato. 

The way of a fcol is right— in his own eyes. —Solomon. 

The contemplation that ten is to solitude, is but a specious- 
title 10 idleness. 

War is the sink of all injustice^ - 

We ought not to forget, that o»r slaves are our fellow men.— 
D. Cato. 

We.lesssn oufwants by lessening our desires. — Laberius. 

W T e must submit to the times. — Publius Syrus. 

We ought to weigh well, what we can only once decide.- 
Ibid. 

Without danger, danger cannot be surmounted.— Ibid. 

Wind puffs up empty bladders, opinion* fools.—SocrateS, 

Wisdom prefers an unjust peace to a just war. 

When men speak ill of thee, live so as nobody may belief 
them.— Plato. 



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